# NTSB CHI97LA013: Piper PA-18, N3939Z, Alliance, NE, October 23, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1996, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Alliance, NE
- Coordinates: 42.100994, -102.870857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1010&lon=-102.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA013

## Probable cause

the instructor-pilot's inadequate supervision by not taking timely action after the student started losing directional control.  A factor was the loss of directional control by the student pilot.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The instructor-pilot reported that the airspeed was a 'little fast' during the landing transition.  At touchdown the airplane started veering right.  Then the student overcorrected and the aircraft veered off the runway to the left. The instructor-pilot reported that he came on the controls; the airplane entered a ground loop and the left wing impacted the ground.

## Factual narrative

On October 23, 1996, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N3939Z, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control of the airplane during landing.  The instructor pilot was unable to take control of the aircraft from the student pilot and prevent the aircraft from a ground loop.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed the Alliance Municipal Airport, Alliance, Nebraska, on a local training flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The instructor pilot reported that the airspeed was a "little fast" during the landing transition.  At touchdown the airplane started veering right, but then the student pilot overcorrected and the aircraft veered off the runway to the left.  The instructor pilot reported that he came on the controls.  He reported that the airplane entered a ground loop and the left wing impacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3939Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3939Z), registered now, S/N 18-7785, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- 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: 18-7785
- Airframe hours: 1056
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Heartland Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1996, 82 hours before
- Departed: AIA
- Airport: AIA, Alliance Municipal, runway 8, 6,342 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,150 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °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 19961023033339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961023033339A), Oct 23, 1996: Piper PA18150, Alliance, NE, Substantial damage. Ground loop on landing runway, hit left wing.

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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