NTSB WPR21LA163 — 2021-04-18 · Wilsall, Montana, United States

Current FAA registration · N83359

Make / Model: PIPER PA-18-150
Year of manufacture: 1976 · 45 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19760527
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AB66A8

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N83359 Piper PA-18-150 None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a crosswind.

Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while conducting a wheel landing on a grass runway with a direct crosswind, as the tailwheel settled onto the ground, the airplane veered right. He attempted to correct by applying left brake. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right, substantially damaging the left wing and elevator when they impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no pre accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
— Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_WPR21LA163.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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