N3471Z

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-18-150S/N: 18-7291

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
NTSB Number
CEN13CA108
Location
Okaton, SD
Event ID
20121218X55735
Coordinates
43.886112, -100.891944
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 failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection of the airplane and obstruction of the aileron control system by snow and ice, which led to a loss of control during flight.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-7291
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1960
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
WYLY BILLY W
Address
24684 WYLY RD
City
OKATON
State / Zip Code
SD 57562-5011
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that two days prior to the accident, snow accumulated on the wings of the airplane while it was in an open front hangar. The day prior to the accident the temperature was warmer and the pilot believed that the snow melted and ran rearward to the aileron gap/hinge locations, re-freezing during the nighttime hours. The day of the accident the pilot said he was in a hurry to use the airplane to check his pastures and brushed the snow off of the wings, but did not perform a thorough preflight check of the airplane and did not check freedom of movement of the ailerons. After takeoff, the airplane began turning to the left. The pilot said that he attempted to correct, but there was no response. When he looked out at the wings, he could see that the ailerons were not responding to control inputs as they should. As he was attempting to regain control, the airplane descended into trees. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no defects that were determined to have existed prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and tail surfaces.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN13CA108