Piper PA18 N9884D

Summary

On 12 August 2018 at about 22:30 local time, a Piper PA18 registered N9884D was involved in an accident near Gilliam Glacier, 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

12 August 2018 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Gilliam Glacier, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

63.6997, -147.1264

Aircraft

Piper PA18

Registration

N9884D

Category

Airplane

Year built

1959

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gilliam Glacier → Fairbanks

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA494

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision to take off in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. 

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the weather conditions were "gusty winds with intermittent rain" and that a quartering headwind existed at the airstrip. During initial climb, a wind gust forced the airplane back into ground effect, and another gust forced the airplane back onto the airstrip. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 5 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for "calmer conditions."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.