NTSB Factual Report

On June 27, 2001, at 1047 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N872CC, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Bryce Canyon Airport, Bryce Canyon, Utah. The private pilot, the only occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Richfield, Utah, approximately 1010.

The pilot had just purchased the newly built airplane, and was ferrying it back to his home in California. According to his accident report, he departed Eden, Utah, at 0630; Morgan, Utah, at 0800, and Richfield, Utah, at 1010. As he approached Bryce Canyon, he monitored the ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System) frequency. The winds were reported to be from 120 degrees at 12 knots. Bryce Canyon Airport has only a single asphalt runway, 03-21. The pilot said these conditions presented a direct 90 degree crosswind. He made a touch and go landing on runway 03, turned around, and landed on runway 21. During the landing roll, the airplane swerved to the left, due to a "possible gust of wind or [the] pilot was too slow in rudder correction." He then applied "hard right rudder," and the airplane responded with a "rapid turn to the right" that he was unable to counter. The left wing struck the runway, incurring main spar damage.

The pilot originally reported the damage to be minor. FAA issued a ferry permit, but the ferry pilot refused to fly the airplane, citing the wing spar damage. The mishap was then upgraded to an accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the crosswind.