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GAA17CA188

2017-03-13 · Anchorage, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport MRI

Current FAA registration · N3654M

Make / Model
PIPER PA-12
Year of manufacture
1947 · 70 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES (115 hp)
Seats / Engines
3 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560310
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A421CF

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the taxi on skis on hard-packed snow in gusting wind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the wheel-ski equipped airplane reported that after landing on skis, during the taxi on hard packed snow, a gust of wind pushed the airplane and the left wing impacted a parked, unoccupied airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that about 13 minutes after the accident the wind was 360° at 12 knots, gusting 20 knots. The pilot of the wheel/ski-equipped airplane reported that, after landing on skis and during the taxi on hard-packed snow, a wind gust pushed the airplane, and the left wing impacted a parked, unoccupied airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 13 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 360° at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Wheel/ski/float-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Aircraft-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA188.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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