Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18-180 near Chugiak, AK — 2012-07-04

Final reportANC12LA064
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Date
2012-07-04
Location
Chugiak, AK, USA
Airport
Z40
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18-180
Registration
N329DP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot/airplane owner’s loss of directional control after landing, and the instructor pilot's lack of adequate supervision of the training flight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was receiving instruction in his newly acquired airplane, which was equipped with 35-inch tundra tailwheel tires. He had not flown an airplane with large wheels previously, so he hired a local flight instructor who had been recommended to him. Neither pilot had previously flown the accident airplane. After initial touchdown of the main landing gear, the pilot pulled the stick aft to bring the tailwheel down. When the tailwheel touched down, the airplane made a hard right turn, which the pilot attempted to correct with left rudder. However, the right turn worsened as the airplane approached the edge of the runway, so he applied heavy braking. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have chosen a more experienced instructor for landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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