# NTSB CHI95LA237: Piper PA-18-150, N14064, Versailles, MO, July 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1995, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Versailles, MO
- Coordinates: 38.430416, -92.839675 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4304&lon=-92.8397&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 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA237

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.

## 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
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN. WHEN THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN A SECOND TIME, IT WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY, AND A 270 DEGREE RIGHT GROUNDLOOP RESULTED. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED A LANDING LIGHT, AND THE LEFT WINGTIP DRUG IN THE DIRT ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY BEFORE THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST.

## Factual narrative

On July 21, 1995, at 1145 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-18-150, N14064, registered to the Central Missouri State University of Warrensburg, Missouri, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a landing ground loop on runway 25 at the Roy Otten Memorial Airfield, Versailles, Missouri.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot and passenger reported no injuries.  The flight departed from Lincoln, Missouri, at approximately 1115 cdt.

The pilot reported that the airplane made a small bounce upon touchdown.  He reported that the airplane was not aligned with the runway when it touched down a second time resulting in a 270 degree right groundloop.  He reported, "The bottom of the fuselage hit a runway light just forward of the tailwheel on the left side and the left wingtip dragged in the dirt adjacent to the 39' wide runway" prior to coming to a stop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14064](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14064), registered now, S/N 18-8989, built 1972 (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: 18-8989
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Central Missouri State Univ.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1995
- Departed: MO11, LINCOLN, MO
- Airport: 3VS, Roy Otten Memorial, runway 25, 2,805 × 39 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 169 total, 14 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JEF, 40 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 19950721026619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950721026619A), Jul 21, 1995: Piper PA18150, Versailles, MO, Substantial damage. Bounced landing. Came down on angle and groundlooped. Bottom fuselage near tail struck runway light.

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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