# NTSB CEN12CA042: Piper PA-18-150, N7949, West Fargo, ND, October 24, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2011, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: West Fargo, ND - Coordinates: 46.942779, -96.928886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9428&lon=-96.9289&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: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Fargo FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82173/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82173 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll before the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/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: 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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing a short-field landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He stated that after touchdown he applied too much brake pressure while the tailwheel was still off the ground and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage to the firewall, aft fuselage structure, left and right wing struts, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. He further noted that the accident could have been prevented had he not applied the brakes until the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was practicing a short field landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He stated that after touchdown he applied too much brake pressure while the tailwheel was still off the ground and the airplane subsequently nosed-over. The airplane came to rest inverted and the pilot and passenger exited through the main cabin door. The airplane’s firewall, aft fuselage structure, left and right wing struts, and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. He further noted that the accident could have been prevented had he not applied the brakes until the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7949](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7949), registered now, S/N 18-8882, built 1970 (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: 18-8882 - Airframe hours: 25785 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thermo King of Fargo & Isuzu Diesel Midwest, Inc. - Registered owner: Thermo King of Fargo & Isuzu Diesel Midwest, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 2011 - Departed: KFAR, Fargo, ND - Destination: NA17, West Fargo, ND - Airport: NA17, Jacob Gust Airport, runway 35, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 6,020 total, 51 in this make and model, 1,386 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KFAR, 5 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 20111024030429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111024030429A), Oct 24, 2011: Piper PA-18-150, Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. PIC mismanaged brakes during landing resulting in aircraft tipping over causing substantial damage. Photos on file with NTSB. Aircraft inspected on scene by… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82173. 980 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 938 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357187&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357185&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.