# NTSB ATL96LA113: Piper PA-18-150, N9167T, Bessemer, AL, July 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1996, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bessemer, AL
- Coordinates: 33.429866, -86.990562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4299&lon=-86.9906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA113

## Probable cause

The dual student's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing, and the flight instructor's failure to properly supervise the flight.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The certified flight instructor and dual student were practicing touch and go landings at the airport. During an attempted landing, the dual student released the flight controls during the landing roll. The certified flight instructor did not regain control of the airplane before it veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled down a ravine into a wooded area, and collided with trees.

## Factual narrative

On July 25, 1996, at 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N9167T, veered off the right side of runway 23 during an attempted touch and go landing at the Bessemer Airport, Bessemer, Alabama.  The 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 received substantial damage; the certified flight instructor and student were not injured. The flight departed Birmingham, Alabama, at 1330.

According to the operator, the certified flight instructor and dual student were practicing touch and go landings at the Bessemer Airport. During an attempted landing,  the flight instructor stated that the dual student released the flight controls during the landing roll. The certified flight instructor did not regain control of the airplane before it veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled down a ravine into a wooded area, and collided with trees. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9167T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9167T), registered now, S/N 18-8009011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8009011
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Snap Account Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 12, 1996, 5 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Airport: 2A3, Bessemer, runway 23, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,400 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 30 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 19960725020209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960725020209A), Jul 25, 1996: Piper PA18150, Bessemer, AL, Substantial damage. Reported student released controls on landing roll. Veered off runway into ravine and trees. CFI failed react.

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.

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