Aircraft: Piper Cub. Injuries: None. Location: Palmer, Alaska. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot was flying solo and attempting to land. He aborted the first landing due to low level turbulence associated with wind coming over nearby trees.
He elected to land beyond the trees on his next attempt, but about 5 feet above the runway, the airplane turned sharply to the right, descended and crashed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
The pilot said there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that he should have selected another airport where the wind was not a factor.
Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind conditions.
NTSB Identification: ANC11CA036
This May 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
