# NTSB CHI99LA146: Piper PA-18-L21B, N3VU, Vincennes, IN, May 10, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 1999, 19:40 local (May 10, 1999, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Vincennes, IN - Coordinates: 38.669738, -87.509788 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6697&lon=-87.5098&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 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46267 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46267/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA146 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing. Factors which contributed to this accident were the pilot's long touchdown, the rough area on the runway, and the wheat field. ## 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, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said he made a smooth touchdown about halfway down runway 21 (2,350 X 100) at the O'Neal Airport, Vincennes, Indiana. The pilot said that shortly after touchdown, the airplane hit a rough spot on the runway. The airplane bounced into the air, and the tail began to shift around. The pilot said that he couldn't get on the brakes because he was busy trying to keep the airplane straight. The airplane veered to the right and departed the runway into a wheat field. The plane slowed, but suddenly stopped and nosed over slowly on to its back. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 1999, at 1940 central standard time (cst), a Piper PA- 18-L21B, N3VU, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when on landing, the airplane veered right, off of the runway, and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger on board reported no injuries. The local flight originated at the O'Neal Airport, Vincennes, Indiana, at 1840 cst. In his written statement, the pilot said he made a smooth touchdown about halfway down runway 21 (2,350 X 100) at the O'Neal Airport. The pilot said that shortly after touchdown, the airplane hit a rough spot on the runway. The airplane bounced into the air, and the tail began to shift around. The pilot said that he couldn't get on the brakes because he was busy trying to keep the airplane straight. The airplane veered to the right and departed the runway into a wheat field. The plane slowed, but suddenly stopped and nosed over slowly on to its back. The pilot described the weather, at the time of the accident, as clear and no wind. The airplane was examined at the airport by an airplane and powerplant (A&P) mechanic tasked by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airplane showed damage to the engine cowling, forward fuselage and windscreen. The left wing strut was bent inward, three feet inboard of the wing attach point. The leading edges of both wings were dented inward at the inboard 3 ribs. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3VU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3VU), registered now, S/N 18-3987, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-L21B - Registry model: [Piper L-21B](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-l-21b) (registry code 7101815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3987 - Airframe hours: 3505 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vincennes University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1999, 9 hours before - Departed: OEA - Airport: OEA, Vincennes-O'Neal Airport, runway 21, 2,350 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 74 total, 7 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LWV, 5 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 19990509004909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990509004909A), May 9, 1999: Piper L21B, Vincennes, IN, Substantial damage. Acft lost control after landing, ran off the rwy, went into a wheat field, and came to rest inverted, other circumstances are unknown. (From .19) on may 9,… ## Other investigations on N3VU (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 CHI79DEX18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEX18), Mar 24, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N3VU), Spencer, IN, substantial damage 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.