NTSB Factual Report

On June 18, 2002, about 1727 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1858A, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during an aborted landing at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated near Cash Creek, in the Trading Bay area, about 1300, and was bound for Lake Hood Strip.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on June 21, the pilot said he landed hard and bounced. He said he applied full power in an attempt to abort the landing, but was not fast enough with the throttle. After a second bounce the airplane exited the left side of the runway. Once off the runway, the airplane encountered a ditch, abruptly stopped, and came to rest on its nose, left main landing gear, and left wing.

The pilot said the airplane sustained damage to its left wing leading edge, ribs, and tip bow, along with damage to the propeller.

During a telephone conversation with the IIC on June 21, the pilot's mechanic said at least two of the left wing ribs will have to be spliced, and a section of the leading edge and tip bow replaced.

The pilot did not submit a NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident is a ditch adjacent to the runway.