PIPER PA 12
Anchorage, AK — March 14, 2017
Event Information
| Date | March 14, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA188 |
| Event ID | 20170314X80958 |
| Location | Anchorage, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 61.21278, -149.84500 |
| Airport | MERRILL FIELD |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA 12 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the taxi on skis on hard-packed snow in gusting wind conditions.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the wheel-ski equipped airplane reported that after landing on skis, during the taxi on hard packed snow, a gust of wind pushed the airplane and the left wing impacted a parked, unoccupied airplane.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left wing lift strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that about 13 minutes after the accident the wind was 360° at 12 knots, gusting 20 knots.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.