# NTSB CEN12CA183: Piper PA-18-150, N2986P, Fort Collins, CO, March 8, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 8, 2012, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Fort Collins, CO - Coordinates: 40.54111, -104.985 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5411&lon=-104.9850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83080/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83080 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA183 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control during the go-around, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing the airplane at a private landing strip on his property. The flag near the landing location indicated a calm wind. The pilot said that the airplane encountered some turbulence and wind gusts during the landing approach. He attempted a go-around and made a right turn to avoid the rising terrain. He said that he did not maintain flying speed and the airplane impacted trees and the wing spars were substantially damaged. The pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing the airplane at a private landing strip on his property. The flag near the landing location indicated calm winds. The pilot indicated that the airplane encountered some turbulence and wind gusts during the landing approach. He attempted a go around and did not maintain flying speed. The airplane impacted trees where the airplane received substantial damage when the wings sustained spar damage. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2986P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2986P), registered now, S/N 18-4499, built 1955 (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: 18-4499 - Airframe hours: 3856 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2011 - Departed: GXY, Greeley, CO - Destination: PVT, Fort Collins, CO - Airport: PVT, Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 3,290 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 5,150 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: FNL, 6 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 20120308004389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120308004389A), Mar 8, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Ft. Collins, CO, Substantial damage. On 03/09/2012 at approximately 1310 MST, N2986P, a Piper model PA-18-150 super cub aircraft sustained substantial damage upon impacting terrain during the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 23, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83080. 454 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365472&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.