Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground-loop.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll-out she reached down to retract the flaps and the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to veer to the right. She attempted to correct with left rudder, but the airplane began to “fishtail”. She then applied brakes to correct for the veering movement to no avail. Subsequently, the airplane ground-looped to the left, exited the runway to the left, and the right wing and elevator impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC21LA082 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 30, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Soldotna, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Soldotna (SXQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22-135
- N-number
- N3419A
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1953
- 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.