Piper PA 18-150 N3971Z accident near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and attempted go-around, resulting in contact with terrain and a ground loop.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport site. Upon touchdown the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder in an attempt to correct for the veer, but the airplane continued to the right. The pilot then initiated a go-around, but was still unable to maintain directional control, and aborted the go-around, which resulted in a ground loop. During the ground loop the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator.

In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) on July 12, the pilot stated that the right brake may have malfunctioned, but he thought it was more probable that he had lost control.

In a statement the pilot provided to the NTSB IIC on September 12 the pilot stated that an examination of the right main wheel brake assembly at the accident site revealed no deficiencies.

In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had not attempted a go-around and had used more aggressive braking on the left main wheel.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC14CA053 for the full record.