Summary
On October 27, 2018, a Piper PA18 (N4500W) was involved in an incident near Denver, CO. 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 of the airplane during landing in gusting wind conditions.
The pilot under instruction was in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26-inch bush wheels and reported that he observed indications of a head wind during the approach to the asphalt runway. He asserted that when the airplane touched down on the mains, he noticed that the windsock had shifted indicating a direct left crosswind. Just before the tailwheel touched down, the left wing lifted, and he slowly added power to abort the landing. However, the airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA045. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4500W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusting wind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot under instruction was in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26-inch bush wheels and reported that he observed indications of a head wind during the approach to the asphalt runway. He asserted that when the airplane touched down on the mains, he noticed that the windsock had shifted indicating a direct left crosswind. Just before the tailwheel touched down, the left wing lifted, and he slowly added power to abort the landing. However, the airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the elevator.
The automated surface observing system at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 25 knots and gusting to 30 knots.
The pilot reported that there were no 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# GAA19CA045