Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-18 near Fredenberg Township, MN — 2011-05-07

Final reportCEN11LA328
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Date
2011-05-07
Location
Fredenberg Township, MN, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Registration
N195T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate directional control during a crosswind landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on an island sandbar with a 6- to 8-knot left crosswind. He stated that he had previously performed the same landing in the accident airplane, which was equipped with oversized tundra tires. As the airplane descended below the nearby treetops, the crosswind component diminished, and the airplane began drifting left of the desired landing path. Shortly after touchdown, the left wingtip collided with shrubs and trees, which caused the airplane to veer into a marsh area. The right main landing gear sunk into the soft terrain, and the right wing impacted terrain. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have adjusted approach to compensate for crosswind earlier.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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