Piper PA-18-125 N1129A

Summary

On 6 May 2011 at about 18:50 local time, a Piper PA-18-125 registered N1129A was involved in an accident near Cordova, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 May 2011 at 18:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Cordova, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.0178, -144.0178

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-125

Registration

N1129A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Yakutat → Cordova

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC11CA029

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's loss of aircraft control during final approach in gusty wind conditions, resulting in a hard landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that on final approach to an off-airport landing site, about 50 feet above ground level, the airplane descended and impacted the terrain. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, but the wind in the area was very erratic. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had made a touch-and-go landing to evaluate the wind conditions prior to landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.