N82213

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-18-150S/N: 18-8009031

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, November 1, 2009
NTSB Number
WPR10CA049
Location
Lewiston, ID
Event ID
20091109X84233
Coordinates
46.377335, -117.011160
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's delayed decision to execute a go-around in gusting winds and with up-sloping terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-8009031
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1979
Model / ICAO
PA-18-150PA18
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-18-150

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
ANDERSON STEPHEN A
Address
588 S BARRETT RD
City
YUBA CITY
State / Zip Code
CA 95991-5706
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot, who was making a visual flight rules (VFR) approach to a 800-foot long remote airstrip, overflew the runway to observe the windsock. Because he observed the windsock hanging limp, he assumed that the winds around the runway were calm, and therefore continued his approach. About the time he reached the approach end of the uphill-sloping runway, the airplane encountered a strong tailwind gust which pushed it, "…too far up the strip to land." The pilot therefore executed a go-around, but his decision was "too late," and he was therefore unable to out-climb the terrain on the departure end of the runway. During the go-around sequence, the airplane's landing gear came in contact with low growing brush, and it flipped over onto its back. Ground witnesses told the pilot that all morning the winds had been variable in direction and had been changing rapidly from nearly calm to gusting as high as 20 miles per hour.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR10CA049