# NTSB CHI96LA126: Piper PA-18A, N454Q, Grand Haven, MI, April 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 1996, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Grand Haven, MI - Coordinates: 43.050048, -86.219261 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0500&lon=-86.2193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10223/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA126 ## Probable cause failure of the dual student to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - object - runway light - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) ## Analysis After touchdown from a left wing low landing, the student pilot, who was flying the airplane from the front seat, allowed the airplane to veer left. The instructor pilot, who was in the back seat, took control of the airplane, added full power, and pulled back on the stick in an attempt to avoid a runway light. The airplane cleared the light at a slow airspeed; however, its right wing immediately dipped and struck the terrain. The airplane then spun around and came to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies which could have contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 1996, at 1030 eastern standard time (est), a Piper, PA-18A, N454Q, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when during landing, the airplane impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The instructor pilot and dual student reported no injuries. The flight originated at Grand Haven, Michigan, at 1025 est. The pilot stated that after touchdown from a left wing low landing, the student pilot, flying the airplane from the front seat, relaxed the controls, so as to dissipate enough speed to allow the tailwheel to touch down on the runway. The dual student said the airplane weathervaned and veered left. The instructor pilot, in the rear seat, took control of the airplane, added full power, and pulled back on the stick in an attempt to avoid a runway light. The airplane cleared the light at a slow airspeed. The airplane's right wing immediately dipped and struck the terrain. The airplane looped around and came to a stop near the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage found the airplane resting upright. The right wing frame was bent and the fabric was torn at the tip. The rear right wing spar was bent aft. The left wing tip showed scraping damage to the fabric and frame. The left main gear was bent outward and the left wheel was bent. The fuselage frame exhibited minor bending and fabric wrinkling throughout. The frame tubing over the cockpit had bent inward and the plexiglass overhead window was cracked. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found in the engine, engine controls or other airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N454Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N454Q), registered now, S/N 18-4902, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18A - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4902 - Airframe hours: 4353 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: John R. Yarranton - Registered owner: Greg M. Hagen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: 3GM - Destination: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI - Airport: 3GM, Grand Haven, runway 9, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 800 total, 150 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 19960401006159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960401006159A), Apr 1, 1996: Piper PA18A, Grand Haven, MI, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Damaged wing spar. (-23) during the landing rollout the pilot failed to maintain directional control which caused substantial… 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.