Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot in command's inadvertent ground loop.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot just performed a full stop landing after doing a number of touch and go landings. As he was rolling to a stop the airplane began to veer to the right and his control corrections had no effect. The airplane left the side of the runway and nosed over. Examination of the wheel and brake system showed no mechanical irregularities. The airplane was equipped with 29 inch tires.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 27, 1993, at 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA 18 150 airplane, N4388Z, registered to the Pilot in Command, veered to the right, ran off the side of the runway, and nosed over in the ditch at the New Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Palmer, Alaska, and the destination was Wasilla. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the Pilot in Command, the sole occupant, was not injured. According to the Pilot in Command, after arriving at Wasilla he did some touch and go landings and he was rolling out on his last landing when the airplane veered to the right and the airplane left the runway and nosed over in the ditch. The airplane was equipped with 29 inch Goodyear tires. According to Austin Coller, Aviation Safety Inspector for FAA, FSDO 03, Anchorage, Alaska, examination of the wheel and brake system showed no mechanical irregularities. -