Piper PA-18 near Anchorage, AK — 2008-05-17

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during landing. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind and an inadvertent ground loop.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was landing on runway 25, a dry paved runway, which required a correction for a slight left crosswind. He said that during touchdown, the airplane's left wing lifted, and he attempted to abort the landing by adding full engine power. The airplane's right wing struck the ground, and the airplane ground looped to the left, then nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Winds at the time of the accident were reported to be 190 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot noted in his written report to the NTSB that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing

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