NTSB CAROL · Event
Event ANC11CA029
Registry · N1129A
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
PIPER PA-18-125
Year of manufacture
1951 · 60 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19591104
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A03735
Registrant of record
BREDIN WILLIAM B
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's loss of aircraft control during final approach in gusty wind conditions, resulting in a hard landing.
Factual narrative
The pilot stated that, on final approach to an off-airport landing site, about 50 feet above ground level, the airplane started sinking violently and impacted terrain. He said there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, but the wind in the area was very erratic. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot stated that on final approach to an off-airport landing site, about 50 feet above ground level, the airplane descended and impacted the terrain. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, but the wind in the area was very erratic. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had made a touch-and-go landing to evaluate the wind conditions prior to landing. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent rate-Not attained/maintained - C
- C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-(general)-Effect on equipment
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2011_ANC11CA029.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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