# NTSB CEN14LA361: Piper PA 18-150, N91106, Monte Vista, CO, July 12, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 2014, 19:15 local (Jul 12, 2014, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Monte Vista, CO - Coordinates: 37.658332, -106.033889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6583&lon=-106.0339&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA361 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89659/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89659 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA361 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around following impact with a barley crop, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct a shallow approach with the airplane facing directly into the setting sun, which resulted in sun glare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: 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) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: 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) - [Post-impact: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was conducting a personal flight and attempting to land the airplane. He reported that, due to equipment obstructing the 2,600-ft-long dirt runway at midfield, he conducted a shallow approach to land on the eastern half of the shortened runway with the airplane pointed west almost directly into the setting sun, which resulted in sun glare. When the airplane was about 100 ft east of the end of the runway, the main landing gear impacted a 2-ft-tall barley crop, which slowed the airplane. The pilot initiated a go-around, but he did not attain sufficient speed to maintain flight and exceeded the airplane's critical angle-of-attack. The airplane subsequently stalled, impacted terrain on the edge of the runway, and then came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical tail surfaces. The pilot was not injured and exited the airplane without assistance. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 2014, about 1915 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 single engine airplane, N91106, was substantially damaged during landing at Van Treese Airport (0CO9), Monte Vista, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to Van Treese Farms, Inc.; and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had departed from Pagosa Springs Airport (PSO), Pagosa Springs, Colorado, at 1820, and was destined for 0CO9. There was equipment obstructing the 2,600 foot long dirt runway at midfield and the pilot was making a shallow approach to land on the eastern half of the shortened runway while pointed to the west almost directly into the setting sun. When the airplane was about 100 feet east from the end of the runway the main landing gear impacted a two-foot tall green barley crop which slowed the airplane. The pilot began a go-around maneuver, but was unable to maintain flying speed. The airplane stalled and impacted terrain on the edge of the runway, coming to rest inverted with resulting substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical tail surfaces. There was no postimpact fire and the pilot was able to exit the airplane without assistance. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He added that he should have used a steeper approach to land, and should have maintained clearance from the barley crop obstructions in the final approach path. He added that he should have considered using a longer runway at a nearby airport, or considered using a different runway that was not oriented directly into the glare of the setting sun. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91106](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91106), registered now, S/N 18-8109069, built 1981 (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: 18-8109069 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 2477 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 2014, 39 hours before - Departed: PSO, PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO - Destination: 0CO9, Monte Vista, CO - Airport: 0CO9, Van Treese, runway W, 2,600 × 50 ft, dirt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 166 total, 36 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KALS, 16 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 20140711012009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140711012009A), Jul 11, 2014: Piper PA-18-150, Monte Vista, CO, Substantial damage. On 07/11/2014 at 1915 MDT, N91106 a Piper PA-18-150 standart airworthiness airplane flipped on landing short of the runway at Van Treese Airport(0CO9). The… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89659. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Map (item 2, .PDF, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map-Master.PDF - Weather Summary (item 3, .PDF, 562 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.