# NTSB CEN09TA374: Piper PA-18-150, N2320P, Alpine, TX, June 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: June 22, 2009, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Alpine, TX - Coordinates: 30.359054, -103.659202 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3591&lon=-103.6592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 74109 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09TA374 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74109/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74109 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09TA374 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he configured the airplane for a crosswind landing with the application of left aileron and right rudder. He initially touched down on the main landing gear when the aircraft bounced and became airborne again. The pilot added power to prepare for a three-point landing, and touched back on the runway again. According to statements from the pilot and passenger, the airplane immediately veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with left rudder and add full power for a go-around. The pilot failed to gain control of the aircraft and spun 180 degrees off the right side of the runway. The aircraft’s left main gear collapsed upon leaving the runway, causing the propeller and left wing to strike the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2009, at 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N2320P, operated by the Office of Homeland Security and piloted by a airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when the airplane ground looped during landing roll at Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (E38), Alpine, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The public use flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane received minor injuries. The flight originated at Alpine, Texas, approximately 1345. According to the pilot, he configured the airplane for a crosswind landing with the application of left aileron and right rudder. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear then bounced and became airborne again. The pilot added power to prepare for a three point landing. The airplane touched down again and immediately veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with left rudder and added full power for a go-around. The pilot failed to regain control and the airplane spun 180 degrees off the right side of the runway. The airplane’s left main gear collapsed, causing the propeller and left wing to strike the ground. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2320P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2320P-2020-10-23), registration cancelled 2020-10-23, S/N 18-8109015, built 1980 (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: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8109015 - Airframe hours: 10729 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: Dept. of Homeland Security - Registered owner: Dept. of Homeland Security - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 28, 2009, 9 hours before - Departed: E38, Alpine, TX - Destination: E38, Alpine, TX - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: E38, Alpine - Casparis Muni, runway 19, 6,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 18, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 2,365 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,758 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: E38 ## 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 20090622009139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090622009139A), Jun 22, 2009: Piper PA18150, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 22, 2009 at approximately 1500 CDT the pilot of N2320P executed a landing to runway 19 at Alpine Casparis municipal airport (E38) in Alpine,… ## Other investigations on N2320P (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 FTW97TA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97TA115), Mar 3, 1997: Piper PA-18-150 (N2320P), Laredo, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot allowed the airplane to get into an excessive rate of descent, during approach for an off-airport landing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74109. 5.1 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 589 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement to Department of Homeland Security (item 2, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20Department%20of%20Homeland%20Security-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Left front of airplane. (item 4, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Left%20front%20of%20airplane.-Master.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.