Summary
On October 06, 2016, a Piper PA18 (N4457Z) was involved in an incident near Hanna, WY. All 2 people 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 maintain directional control during the landing roll in shifting wind conditions.
The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while landing on a dirt road with a left quartering crosswind, the "wind changed suddenly" and the airplane drifted to the right. He further reported that he applied power to abort the landing, but the right main landing gear "dropped off" the side of the dirt road and the airplane veered "hard to the right" into a ditch and wire fence.
The left elevator sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA019. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4457Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in shifting wind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while landing on a dirt road with a left quartering crosswind, the "wind changed suddenly" and the airplane drifted to the right. He further reported that he applied power to abort the landing, but the right main landing gear "dropped off" the side of the dirt road and the airplane veered "hard to the right" into a ditch and wire fence.
The left elevator sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA019