# NTSB DEN01LA123: Piper PA-18-150, N872CC, Bryce Canyon, UT, June 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2001, 10:47 local (16:47 UTC) - Place: Bryce Canyon, UT - Location: 37.7064° N, 112.1458° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BRYCE CANYON (BCE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7064&lon=-112.1458&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 - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52731/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA123 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll ## Analysis As the pilot approached the airport, he monitored the ASOS frequency and learned the winds were from 120 degrees at 12 knots. The airport had only one asphalt runway, 03-21. These conditions presented a direct 90 degree crosswind. The pilot made a touch and go landing on runway 03, turned around, and landed on runway 21. During the landing roll, the airplane swerved to the left, due to a "possible gust of wind or [the] pilot was too slow in rudder correction." He then applied "hard right rudder," and the airplane responded with a "rapid turn to the right" that he was unable to counter. The left wing struck the runway, causing main spar damage. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2001, at 1047 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N872CC, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Bryce Canyon Airport, Bryce Canyon, Utah. The private pilot, the only occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Richfield, Utah, approximately 1010. The pilot had just purchased the newly built airplane, and was ferrying it back to his home in California. According to his accident report, he departed Eden, Utah, at 0630; Morgan, Utah, at 0800, and Richfield, Utah, at 1010. As he approached Bryce Canyon, he monitored the ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System) frequency. The winds were reported to be from 120 degrees at 12 knots. Bryce Canyon Airport has only a single asphalt runway, 03-21. The pilot said these conditions presented a direct 90 degree crosswind. He made a touch and go landing on runway 03, turned around, and landed on runway 21. During the landing roll, the airplane swerved to the left, due to a "possible gust of wind or [the] pilot was too slow in rudder correction." He then applied "hard right rudder," and the airplane responded with a "rapid turn to the right" that he was unable to counter. The left wing struck the runway, incurring main spar damage. The pilot originally reported the damage to be minor. FAA issued a ferry permit, but the ferry pilot refused to fly the airplane, citing the wing spar damage. The mishap was then upgraded to an accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N872CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N872CC-2015-07-02), registration cancelled 2015-07-02, S/N 9929CC, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-cub-crafters-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101843) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9929CC - Airframe hours: 27 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Scott J. Kaats - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2001, 22 hours before - Departed: RIF, Richfield, UT - Destination: BCE, Bryce Canyon, UT - Airport: BCE, Bryce Canyon, runway 21, 7,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 18, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 596 total, 23 in this make and model, 458 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: BCE ## 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 20010627015949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010627015949A), Jun 27, 2001: Piper PA18150, Bryce Canyon, UT, No damage. (-23) On June 27, 2001, at 1030 MDT, pilot scott jeffery kaats, certificate #558984824M attempted to land N872CC, apiper PA-18-150 at the Bryce Canyon Airport… 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.