Piper PA 18-150 N4483Z accident near Talkeetna, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's delayed decision to go-around, which resulted in a collision with water.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport site. On final approach she felt the wind shift, and elected to go-around. During the attempted go-around, a downdraft pushed the airplane to the ground. She steered the airplane down a tundra covered slope toward an alpine lake, in an attempt to become airborne. The airplane impacted the water sustaining substantial damage to the left wing, left aileron and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if she had made the decision to go around earlier.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC13CA096 for the full record.