Piper PA18 N6727A

Summary

On 20 August 2018 at about 16:30 local time, a Piper PA18 registered N6727A was involved in an accident near McGrath, 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

20 August 2018 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

McGrath, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

62.7975, -152.9308

Aircraft

Piper PA18

Registration

N6727A

Category

Airplane

Year built

1981

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McGrath → Farewell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA504

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a crosswind.

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, during takeoff from a gravel, dirt airstrip, a "rogue crosswind gust of wind" pushed the airplane to the right. The airplane struck a "bump," became airborne, continued drifting right, and landed hard in a creek. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. 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 prevailing wind was light and variable and not gusting. The airplane was departing to the south.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.