Piper PA-22-150 N7227D accident near Fairbanks, Alaska

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.

NTSB analysis

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. The pilot said that 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 sustained 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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA030 for the full record.