Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18-150 near Talkeetna, AK — 2015-07-22

Final reportANC15CA054
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Date
2015-07-22
Location
Talkeetna, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18-150
Registration
N323DH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and improper recovery from a bounced landing resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a rough and uneven, vegetation covered, off-airport site. The pilot said that during the approach, just prior to touchdown the airplane encountered a wind shift and increase in wind speed, resulting in a strong downdraft. The pilot applied full power in an effort to correct for the downdraft, but the airplane touched down much harder than anticipated and bounced, rotating 90 degrees before impacting a berm and nosing down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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