N4316Z – PIPER PA-18-150 – 2012-08-28 NTSB Accident Report

On August 28, 2012, a Piper PA-18-150 (N4316Z) was involved in an incident near Delta Junction, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to identify the appropriate touchdown point, which resulted in a nose over.

The pilot reported he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a rough and uneven, brush covered, airstrip. Before beginning his approach, he determined the wind direction and a touchdown point. Upon landing the right main tire dropped into a hidden hole, and the tailwheel simultaneously impacted brush and small stumps, and the airplane nosed-over. During the nose over, the rudder, lift struts, and wings sustained substantial damage. Upon exiting the airplane the pilot realized he had identified the wrong touchdown point, and landed short of the airstrip. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC12CA094. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4316Z.