N530AK is a 1956 Piper PA-18-150. It is a fixed-wing single-engine aircraft with 2 seats. The registration is active, with the registrant based in Conroe, TX. Its standard airworthiness certificate was issued in May 1956. It has been registered to its current owner since Aug 2019. This page also carries 2 NTSB events.
- 70 years old
- 1 of 2,081 Piper PA-18-150
2019
1956
That's everything on file so far — TailWiki checks the FAA registry daily and adds new entries as N530AK's record changes.
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The private pilot was on a cross-country flight with one passenger. He stated that based on the wind reported by his destination airport's Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), he decided to make a conventional, full-stall, 3-point landing. He said he crossed mid-field and entered a left downwind for runway 30. The turn to base and final were normal. When the airplane was about a foot off the runway at stall speed, "an unexpected" wind gust pushed the airplane to the left. The left main landing gear contacted the runway, and the airplane drifted to the right. The left shock absorber broke, and the airplane swerved to the right. The tailwheel unlocked and the airplane ground looped. Damage included a bent left wing and left main landing gear. The pilot did not indicate the wind direction but said it was at 7 knots. AWOS reported that the wind was calm. The pilot did not indicate that there were any mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. He noted that the destination airport "has a reputation for gusty wind conditions . . . the gust caught me in a landing configuration where I was unable to maintain directional control at touchdown." The pilot stated that once the tailwheel turns about 15 to 20 degrees, it unlocks automatically and the tailwheel swivels. When the airplane began its turn and reached the point where the tailwheel unlocked, there is no tailwheel steering.
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane was equipped with 26-inch tundra tires, and that he performed a landing on the asphalt runway. The airplane touched down and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder and left brake but overcorrected the airplane's direction to the left. Subsequently, the airplane ground-looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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About the Piper PA-18-150
About the modelThe Super Cub — a two-seat tandem taildragger developed from the J-3 with far more power. A backcountry, bush and glider-towing aircraft, prized for short-field performance.