N41594

Substantial
Minor

PIPER PA 18-150S/N: 1809113

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, December 7, 2014
NTSB Number
CEN15CA071
Location
Minocqua, WI
Event ID
20141208X60148
Coordinates
45.928054, -89.730834
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing flare when a sudden wind shift occurred.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
1809113
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1994
Model / ICAO
PA 18-150M600
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-18-150

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
BUTLER JOHN P
Address
6543 HIDEAWAY LN
City
HAZELHURST
State / Zip Code
WI 54531
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 18 while the wind was 170 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots. He explained that he attempted a three-point landing instead of a wheel landing because the airplane was equipped with "wheel-penetration skis." During the flare, the pilot observed that snow began blowing directly across the runway just ahead of the airplane. The airplane subsequently drifted to the right. The pilot corrected with rudder and aileron inputs and the airplane still drifted right. He decided to initiate a go-around. As he applied power in an attempted to fly out of the gusting crosswind, the right wing dropped. The ski-equipped right main gear collapsed when it impacted the snow with a side load. The right wing tip then contacted the snow and the airplane sustained substantial wing spar and firewall damage when it cartwheeled on its right wing tip, nose, left wing tip, and then balanced on its nose. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions during the accident flight.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN15CA071