Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors in the accident were the crosswind and the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The certificated private pilot was landing at an 800 foot long airstrip at 2,500 feet mean sea level. The strip was oriented north and south along a ridge. The pilot was landing to the south and indicated that the wind was coming upslope from the east about 12 to 15 knots. After touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes and the tail of the airplane began to rise. He released the brakes and added engine power to keep the tail down. The tail continued to rise and the airplane nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 24, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-14, N4229H, crashed during landing at a private airstrip, about 20 miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, about 1400. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he was landing at an airstrip known as Table Top Mountain. The 800 feet long and 15 feet wide strip is oriented north and south along a ridge. The pilot was landing to the south and indicated that the wind was coming upslope from the east about 12 to 15 knots. After touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes and the tail of the airplane began to rise. He released the brakes and added engine power to keep the tail down. The tail continued to rise and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the nose and wings. -