Piper PA-18-150 N3802Z accident near Palmer, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper airspeed management which resulted in a bounced landing and insufficient airspeed to perform a go around procedure.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing in an open field with a raised driveway that crossed the landing surface. The driveway was about two feet higher than the landing surface. The airplane was landing into a left quartering headwind that was about 15 to 20 mph. The pilot said he was planning to touchdown just after the driveway, but just prior to reaching the driveway the airplane lost the headwind and descended. The airplane touched down prior to the driveway and it bounced when it crossed over the raised driveway. The pilot attempted to go around, but did not have sufficient airspeed. The pilot then continued the landing and the airplane’s right lift strut impacted a parked car, and a trailer, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC25LA012 for the full record.