# NTSB CHI02LA032: Piper PA-15, N4576H, Decatur, IL, November 5, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 2001, 13:18 local (19:18 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IL
- Coordinates: 39.850688, -88.930778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8507&lon=-88.9308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Springfield FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA032

## Probable cause

The excessive braking performed by the flight instructor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

The flight instructor stated that during the landing rollout he applied brake pressure and, "...the brakes grabbed and caused the aircraft to go over on its nose immediately, stopping immediately, with the nose of the aircraft resting on the ground, tail in the air."

## Factual narrative

On November 5, 2001, at 1318 central standard time, a Piper PA-15, N4576H, sustained substantial damage during an on-ground collision with the runway surface during a landing rollout on runway 12 (6,799 feet by 150 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Decatur Airport, Decatur, Illinois.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The instructional flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan.  The certified flight instructor (CFI) and dual student reported no injuries.  The local flight originated from Decatur, Illinois.

According to Decatur Airport officials, the airplane was cleared for a stop-and-go landing on runway 12, and during the landing roll the aircraft nosed down impacting the runway surface.

According to the CFI's written statement, the purpose of the instructional flight was to practice stop-and-go landings.  The CFI reported he was demonstrating to the student a normal approach and a full stall landing.  The CFI stated that during the landing rollout he applied brake pressure and, "...the brakes grabbed and caused the aircraft to go over on its nose immediately, stopping immediately, with the nose of the aircraft resting on the ground, tail in the air."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4576H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4576H-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 15-350, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-15
- Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15-350
- Airframe hours: 3565
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vagabond Flight Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2001, 10 hours before
- Departed: DEC, Decatur, IL
- Destination: DEC, Decatur, IL
- Airport: DEC, Decatur Airport, runway 12, 6,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 13, 2001; flight hours: 380 total, 30 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 19; injuries: none; student; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 2 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: DEC

## 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 20011105036759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011105036759A), Nov 5, 2001: Piper PA15, Decatur, IL, No damage. (.19) On November 5, 2001, at 1318 central standard time, a Piper PA-15, N4576H, sustained substantial damage during an on-ground collision with the runway…

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.

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