Piper PA-18-150 N4488Z

Summary

On 29 May 2023 at about 16:30 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N4488Z was involved in an accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 2023 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Chena River Seaplane Base (2Z5)

Coordinates

64.8128, -147.9207

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N4488Z

Category

Airplane

Year built

1969

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairbanks → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC23LA039

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a water loop and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach in a float-equipped airplane, she encountered a strong gust of wind and the airspeed decreased, so she increased engine power. Before touchdown, she felt the airspeed was too fast, she selected full flaps and reduced engine power. The airplane veered left, and the pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and increased engine power; however, the airplane water looped to the left and impacted a riverbank, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot landed the airplane with a right quartering tailwind. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.