# NTSB CHI00LA092: Piper PA-18-150, N150AM, Neenah, WI, March 11, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 11, 2000, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Neenah, WI - Coordinates: 44.160953, -88.470939 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1610&lon=-88.4709&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 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48804/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA092 ## Probable cause the pilot's inability to flare the airplane during landing and the subsequent loss of directional control due to restricted movement of the control stick. The control stick movement was restricted by the rear seat cushion which was not secured to the seat/airframe. A factor associated with the accident was the trees which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - movement restricted (cause) - misc eqpt/furnishings - not secured (cause) - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that just prior to touchdown he was unable to apply 'full up elevator.' The airplane bounced on landing and yawed to the right. He applied full left rudder and brake, but the airplane continued toward the trees. He then applied right rudder and brake to intentionally ground loop the airplane in an attempt to miss the trees. However, the left wing contacted the trees and the airplane spun around to the left prior to stopping. Inspection of the airplane revealed the rear seat cushion was mounted on plywood which was not securely fastened to the seat structure/airframe. This allowed the seat cushion to move forward, restricting the movement of the control yoke. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2000, at 1210 central standard time, a Piper PA-18- 150, N150AM, experienced a loss of control while landing on runway 36 (2,450' x 20') at Brennand Field, Neenah, Wisconsin. The pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane and it collided with trees. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at 1135 cst. The pilot reported that he checked the flight controls before the flight and they operated normally. He reported that just prior to touchdown he tried to apply "full up elevator, but the control stick hit a resistance." He reported the airplane bounced on landing and yawed to the right. The pilot reported he applied full left rudder and brake, but the airplane continued toward the trees. He then applied right rudder and brake to intentionally ground loop the airplane in an attempt to miss the trees. However, the left wing contacted the trees and the airplane spun around to the left prior to stopping. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the rear seat cushion was mounted on plywood. The plywood seat bottom was not fastened to the seat structure/airframe. There were snaps mounted on the seat pan for securing the cushion. There was only one snap on the plywood which did not match the position of the snaps on the seat pan. This allowed the seat cushion to move forward, restricting the movement of the control yoke. ## Aircraft - Registration: N150AM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6406 - Airframe hours: 4289 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barrett W. Paasch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1999, 14 hours before - Departed: PVT, OSHKOSH, WI - Destination: 79C - Airport: 79C, Brennard, runway 36, 2,450 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,041 total, 10 in this make and model, 4,458 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ATW, 7 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 20000311042719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000311042719A), Mar 11, 2000: Piper PA18150, Neenah, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft ground looped on landing. Left wingtip struck tree. Full control travel on landing not achieved due to rear seat cushion of obstruction that… 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.