Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a lighted, paved, dry runway at dusk, when he inadvertently bounced the airplane during initial touchdown. He applied remedial control inputs, but he overcorrected, and, upon touching down again, the airplane swerved to the right. He added engine power to abort the landing, but the airplane ground looped to the right and hit a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA062 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 3, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Illiamna, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Iliamna (PAIL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Piper PA-18A 150
- N-number
- N8889D
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.