# NTSB DEN07CA032: Piper PA-18-150, N82236, Riverton, WY, September 3, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2006, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Riverton, WY
- Coordinates: 43.064167, -108.459724
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0642&lon=-108.4597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA032

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground loop.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the landing approach and the touchdown were normal.  Shortly after touchdown, the airplane began to turn to the left, and the pilot corrected the turn by applying right rudder.  The airplane then corrected to the right, however, the pilot stated he "must have held right rudder too long resulting in the aircraft ground looping to the right.  The only cause [pilot] can attribute to the ground loop was pilot error."  During the ground loop, the left wing contacted the ground, damaging the spar.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the approach was normal and the touchdown speed was approximately 55 miles per hour.  Shortly after touchdown, the airplane began to turn to the left and the pilot corrected the turn by applying right rudder.  The airplane then corrected to the right, however, the pilot stated he "must have held right rudder too long resulting in the aircraft ground looping to the right.  The only cause [pilot] can attribute to the ground loop was pilot error."  During the ground loop, the left wing contacted the ground.  Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing spar was damaged.  The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.  The accident was reported to the National Transportation Safety Board on December 4, 2006.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82236](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82236), registered now, S/N 18-7909079, built 1979 (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: 18-7909079
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe B. Dennis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RIW, Riverton, WY
- Destination: RIW
- Airport: RIW, Riverton Regional, runway 28

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,066 total, 474 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060903024279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060903024279A), Sep 3, 2006: Piper PA18150, Riverton, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot overcorrected right rudder after applying too much left rudder causing loss of control.

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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