Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA18 near Sterling, AK — 2017-02-09

Final reportANC17LA016
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Date
2017-02-09
Location
Sterling, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA18
Registration
N1268A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, while making a right turn during a personal flight, the flight controls "stuck." She was unable to make aileron or elevator control inputs, and was also unable to correct the airplane's bank using rudder inputs. The airplane subsequently descended in a right turn until it impacted the ground. The airplane was removed from the accident site before it could be examined. During recovery, both wings and their control cables were cut. The airplane was later examined on the pilot's property, strapped to a trailer. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any control anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; however, since the flight control system was compromised during the recovery, the pre-accident condition of the flight controls could not be determined and the investigation was unable to establish a reason for the pilot's reported loss of control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the maneuver before losing control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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