# NTSB CHI97LA139: Piper PA-18-150, N4056Z, Rogers City, MI, May 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1997, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Rogers City, MI - Coordinates: 45.420543, -83.809173 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4205&lon=-83.8092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10571/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA139 ## Probable cause the disconnection of the tailwheel spring which resulted in the pilot's inability 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 - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - disconnected (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the pilot, the tailwheel began to shimmy during the landing roll and the tailwheel spring on the left side became disconnected. The airplane spun around 270 degrees and the left wing contacted the runway. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway prior to coming to rest. The pilot stated the groundspeed was very slow when the spring disconnected which resulted in a lack of rudder authority to control the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1997, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4056Z, operated by a commercial pilot ground looped during a landing roll at the Presque Isle County Airport, Rogers City, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Alpena, Michigan, at 1700 edt. The pilot reported that during the landing roll on runway 09 (3,017' x 60', asphalt) the tailwheel began to shimmy. He reported that the spring on the left side of the tailwheel became disconnected which resulted in a loss of steering control. He reported the groundspeed was too slow to have any rudder authority. The airplane ground looped 270 degrees to the right during which time the left wing struck the ground. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway into the grass prior to coming to rest. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4056Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4056Z), registered now, S/N 18-8064, built 1963 (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: 188064 - Airframe hours: 8464 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alpena Soaring Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1996, 74 hours before - Departed: APN, ALPENA, MI - Destination: PZQ - Airport: PZQ, Presque Isle County, runway 9, 3,017 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 556 total, 170 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 2 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970507013949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970507013949A), May 7, 1997: Piper PA18150, Rogers City, MI, Substantial damage. (.4)According to the pilot, the tailwheel began to shimmy during the landing roll and the tailwheel spring on the left side became disconnected. The airplane… ## Other investigations on N4056Z (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA24LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA035), Nov 4, 2023: Piper PA18 (N4056Z), Tompkinsville, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing. 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.