Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N91144; accident occurred June 15, 2019 in Beluga,, Alaska

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N91144

Location: Beluga, AK
Accident Number: GAA19CA349
Date & Time: 06/15/2019, 1800 AKD
Registration: N91144
Aircraft: Piper PA18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he had previously landed in the remote area. During landing, the airplane touched down on the soft tundra, "causing the airplane to nose over."

Additionally, the pilot reported that a better visual assessment of the landing area may have prevented this accident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 75, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/01/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/23/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 8513 hours (Total, all aircraft), 8000 hours (Total, this make and model), 8513 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N91144
Model/Series: PA18 150
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18-8109075
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/16/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6636 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-B2B
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: PANC, 132 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0153 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 111°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 20000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 18 knots / 30 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 150°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Anchorage, AK (LHD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Beluga, AK
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1630 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G 

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: 61.242778, -150.415000 (est)