N7780Y

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-18-150S/N: 18-7886

Accident Details

Date
Friday, January 4, 2013
NTSB Number
ANC13CA019
Location
Palmer, AK
Event ID
20130104X71845
Coordinates
61.905277, -148.923614
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 selection of unsuitable terrain for an off-airport landing, which resulted in a ground-loop.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-7886
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1962
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
KELLER ZACHARY T
Address
4501 E FOXTROT AVE
City
WASILLA
State / Zip Code
AK 99654-4277
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot departed from a private airstrip, in a wheel/ski-equipped airplane, on a local area flight. During the flight he elected to land on an ice-covered, frozen lake, and due to the bare ice conditions, he elected to land in a wheel configuration instead of ski configuration. During the landing roll, as the airplane slowed, the left tire broke through a layer of thin ice atop several inches of water, and the airplane veered left. The pilot applied engine power in an attempt to correct the veer, but the airplane subsequently ground-looped to the left, sustaining substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident anomalies with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC13CA019