# NTSB ATL02LA082: Piper PA-18, N802DA, Conway, SC, April 15, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 15, 2002, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Conway, SC - Coordinates: 33.828609, -79.122222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8286&lon=-79.1222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54528 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54528/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54528 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA082 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to use proper wind correction technique, resulting in a loss of directional control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate - directional control - not maintained ## Analysis The airplane collided with a ditch as the pilot taxied to the ramp after landing. The pilot stated a gust of wind caused the airplane to swerve, and there was not enough time to correct. The left main wheel of the aircraft slid into a ditch along the left side of the runway, causing the left wing tip to strike the ground. The airframe sustained structural damage. No mechanical or engine problems were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2002, at 1220 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N802DA, registered to and operated by Sky Signs LLC., collided with a ditch as the pilot taxied to the ramp after landing at Sky Field in Conway, South Carolina. The banner tow flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight initially departed Conway, South Carolina, at an undetermined time. According to the pilot, he was taxiing the airplane from the runway to a hanger when a gust of wind caused the aircraft to swerve to the left. The pilot immediately corrected with right rudder, but due to a narrow runway, did not have enough time to recover. The left main wheel of the aircraft slid into a ditch along the left side of the runway, and the left wing tip to strike the ground. The airframe sustained structural damage. No other damage to the aircraft occurred, and there were no injuries. According to the pilot, winds at the time of the accident were variable at 7 knots, without gusts. The runway is a grass strip, 1,200 feet long by 50 feet wide. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N802DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N802DA-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 18-3353, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3353 - Airframe hours: 10873 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Signs LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 2001, 75 hours before - Departed: Conway, SC - Airport: Sky Field, runway 17, 1,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 588 total, 67 in this make and model, 512 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: MYR, 13 nm away ## 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 20020415009309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020415009309A), Apr 15, 2002: Piper PA18135, Conway, SC, No damage. (-23) On April 15, 2002 at 1220 local time, a Piper PA-18, N802DA, piloted by david oltersdorf and operated by sky signes, LLC, completed a banner drop and was… ## Other investigations on N802DA (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC08LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA201), May 31, 2008: Piper PA-18-135 (N802DA), Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to thermally-induced failure of a piston. Contributing to the accident was the sustained engine exposure to abnormally high operating temperatures and detonation, and the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54528. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.