N23TT

Destroyed
Minor

PIPER PA-18S/N: 18-6684

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, July 2, 2011
NTSB Number
WPR11CA308
Location
Enumclaw, WA
Event ID
20110624X33918
Coordinates
47.013053, -121.535003
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during an encounter with a mountain wave and downdraft landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-6684
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
PA-18PA18
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-18

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
ESP RANCH
Address
HC 36 BOX 2154
City
HARDIN
State / Zip Code
MT 59034-9611
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was making an approach to an airstrip for a brief stop. He overflew the field and determined the wind was variable from the north and started his approach. On final he noticed an above average loss of altitude and speed due to a large mountain wave coming over the foothills to the west. He added power to compensate for the downdraft and continued on his landing approach. Once clear of some trees at the approach end of the runway he reduced the power to idle and was again pushed down by another downdraft. The pilot then added full power to arrest the airplane's decent but he did not have enough speed at that time to avoid a hard landing. The airplane slid off the runway and into a guard railing, which substantially damaged the fuselage tubular frame.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA308