PIPER PA-22-150
Fairbanks, AK — April 15, 2012
Event Information
| Date | April 15, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ANC12CA030 |
| Event ID | 20120417X32350 |
| Location | Fairbanks, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 64.81528, -147.85638 |
| Airport | Fairbanks International |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-22-150 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 3 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision not to initiate a go-around.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a hard surfaced runway. About 6 inches above the runway, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, the left main landing gear contacted the runway, and the airplane began to turn to the left. He said he was unable to correct for the turn with rudder, and the airplane ground looped to the left, striking the right wing on the ground. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that the accident could have been prevented had a go-around decision been made at the initial recognition of the wind gust.
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.