NTSB Factual Report

On June 13, 2002, about 0815 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1888A, sustained substantial damage when the right wing struck the ground during the landing roll at the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight when the accident occurred. The solo student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Fairbanks airport about 0800.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 13, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the student was landing on runway 19L. The student's flight instructor was observing the flight from the ground. The inspector said the student made a three-point landing, but upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the left as the right wing and right wheel came off the ground. The student applied right aileron, and the airplane slammed down on the right wheel. The right wheel landing gear strut buckled, and the right wing struck the ground. The right wing was bent upward at the right wing lift strut attach point.

The inspector reported that during his conversation with the student, the student pilot said a five knot crosswind from the east was present during the landing. The student had accrued 46 total flight hours.

At 0753, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Fairbanks was reporting, in part: Wind, 120 degrees (true) at 4 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 6,000 feet, 8,000 feet broken, 12,000 feet overcast; temperature, 52 degrees F; dew point, 48 degrees F; altimeter, 30.28 inHg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in the right wing striking the ground.