Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18 near Beluga, AK — 2017-09-25

Final reportGAA17CA569
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Date
2017-09-25
Location
Beluga, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18
Registration
N3797Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inability to maintain pitch control due to an encounter with a tailwind gust after the airplane had stopped, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on tundra that had an uphill slope. Before touchdown, the pilot shut off the engine "in case of a nose over event." He reported that, after the landing roll, when the airplane was completely stopped on level ground, a tailwind gust lifted the tail. The airplane balanced on the nose for about 10 seconds, a second gust pushed the airplane over, and it came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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