# NTSB DEN01LA035: Piper PA-18-135, N9058G, Longmont, CO, December 27, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 2000, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Longmont, CO
- Coordinates: 40.163612, -105.163055
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1636&lon=-105.1631&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA035

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to mantain directional control during landing roll.

## 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)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot said that she was landing on runway 29 when she drifted off the left side.  She said that when she corrected to the right to get the airplane back on the runway, the airplane impacted a ditch which bent the right main landing gear.  Subsequently, the right wing hit the ground and the rear spar carry thru was bent.

## Factual narrative

On December 27, 2000, at approximately 1215 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-135, N9058G, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch during landing roll at Vance Brand Airport, Longmont, Colorado.   The student pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured.  The pilot was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo instructional flight that originated approximately 45 minutes before the accident.  The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

The pilot said that she was landing on runway 29 when she drifted off the left side.  She said that when she corrected to the right to get the airplane back on the runway, the airplane impacted a ditch which bent the right main landing gear.  Subsequently, the right wing hit the ground and the rear spar carry thru was bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9058G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9058G), registered now, S/N 18-3325 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-3325
- Airframe hours: 4970
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patricia C. Spears
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2000, 29 hours before
- Departed: 2V2, Longmont, CO
- Airport: 2V2, Vance Brand Airport, runway 29, 4,800 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 3, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 51 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 12 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 20001227036589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001227036589A), Dec 27, 2000: Piper PA18135, Longmont, CO, No damage. (-23) Pilot said that she landed on runway 29 when she drifted off the elft side. She said that when she corrected to the right to get the airplane back on the…

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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