Piper PA-18S-150 Super Cub, N3982Z: Accident occurred July 15, 2018 at Palmer Municipal Airport (PAAQ), Alaska

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N3982Z

Location:  Palmer, AK
Accident Number: GAA18CA422
Date & Time: 07/15/2018, 1600 AKD
Registration: N3982Z
Aircraft: Piper PA18S
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a soft field runaway, the tail started to lift. He maintained aft pressure on the control stick, but the tail continued to lift, and the airplane nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and 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.

The pilot added that the wind was from 110º at 6 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed on runway 16. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 56, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/01/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/13/2014
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1350 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1350 hours (Total, this make and model), 1350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 0.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N3982Z
Model/Series: PA18S 150
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1963
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18-7925
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/06/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 6579.4 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAAQ, 230 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 302°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 5000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.77 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Palmer, AK (PAQ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Palmer, AK (PAQ)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1545 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Palmer Buddy Woods Muni (PAQ)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 248 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 16
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6006 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 61.595000, -149.088611 (est)