Pilot Debrief

Piper PA18 near Wyndmere, ND — 2019-03-07

Final reportGAA19CA158
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Date
2019-03-07
Location
Wyndmere, ND, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA18
Registration
N726
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an uncoordinated turn while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was hired to conduct a predator control flight. He added that, after completing a right turn to the west, he initiated a climbing left turn to the east, and about 75 ft above ground level, the airplane "banked violently to the right and back to the left about two-three times," descended, and then impacted snow-covered ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The hiring agency check pilot reported that, during a postaccident flight review with the accident pilot, the pilot did not apply rudder inputs during turns, which resulted in uncoordinated turns, similar to what occurred in this accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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