NTSB Factual Report

On April 11, 2004, about 0800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N1755P, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during the landing roll, and subsequent nose over at the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. The solo student pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 11, the pilot said he was distracted by a radio call from the tower while on downwind for landing. He said the tower advised he was cleared to land, and issued a wake turbulence caution for a departing jet airplane. He said after touchdown, he overcorrected for drift, and may have applied too much power. The airplane subsequently exited the runway to the right, and traversed deep snow on the side of the runway for about 20 yards before it nosed over. The pilot said there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. He said the airplane received damage to the rudder, left wing, nose, and propeller.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane entering deep snow alongside the runway, and nosing over.