# NTSB ANC04LA023: Piper PA-18-160, N226P, Naples, FL, February 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2004, 13:38 local (18:38 UTC) - Place: Naples, FL - Coordinates: 26.1525, -81.775001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1525&lon=-81.7750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58759/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition during landing, which resulted in a loss of control and an on-ground encounter with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind, and an inadvertent ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The private certificated pilot reported that he was landing on runway 23, which required a correction for a left crosswind. The pilot stated that at touchdown, a strong gust of wind lifted the left wing, and the airplane subsequently ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the right wing and right aileron struck the surface of the runway and sustained structural damage. At 1338, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting the wind as 180 degrees (true) at 15 knots, with peak gusts of 22 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2004, about 1338 eastern standard time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N226P, sustained substantial damage during a loss of control and subsequent ground loop during landing at the Naples Airport, Naples, Florida. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot, and the one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Marathon Airport, Marathon, Florida, about 1215. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 17, 2004, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 23, which required a correction for a strong left crosswind. The pilot stated that at touchdown, a strong gust of wind lifted the left wing, and the airplane subsequently ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the right wing and right aileron struck the surface of the runway and sustained structural damage. At 1338, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) for the Naples Airport was reporting, in part: wind, 180 degrees (true) at 15 knots, peak gusts 22 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 1,500 feet; temperature, 81 degrees F; dew point, 70 degrees F; altimeter, 29.95 inHg. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N226P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N226P-2018-03-01), registration cancelled 2018-03-01, S/N 18-7909066, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: PA-7909066 - Airframe hours: 2194 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: A.J. Cross - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2003, 54 hours before - Departed: MTH, MARATHON, FL - Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL - Airport: APF, Naples Muni, runway 23, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 1, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 351 total, 51 in this make and model, 351 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KAPF ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040214001279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040214001279A), Feb 14, 2004: Piper PA18150, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing on runway 23, Naples Municipal Airport (apf) pilot experienced wind gusts causing the aircraft to veer hard to the right at touch down. The… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.