# NTSB DEN99LA052: Piper PA-18, N90995, Leadville, CO, March 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1999, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Leadville, CO - Coordinates: 39.239242, -106.290405 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2392&lon=-106.2904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45917/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA052 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions. A factor was the gusting crosswind ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - snow covered ## Analysis The pilot set up to land midfield on runway 34 with winds reported to be from 300 degrees at 8 knots. According to the pilot, during the landing flare the airplane encountered a 'strong' direct crosswind gust. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, and nosed over in deep snow. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 1999, approximately 1345 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, N90995, was substantially damaged following departure from the side of the runway during landing roll and nosing over in the snow at Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which originated from Colorado Springs, Colorado, approximately 1 hour, 35 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that as he approached Leadville from the south, he heard on the airport's UNICOM that the winds were 320 degrees at 8 knots, and that runway 33 was the active runway. As the pilot approached the airport, he requested airport advisories, and was told that the wind was 300 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot reported that he set up for a midfield landing. As he began to flare, a "strong direct crosswind gust suddenly struck the airplane." The pilot said that he attempted to perform a go-around, but departed the right side of runway 34. The airplane nosed over in one foot deep snow. The right wing and rudder were damaged. The pilot noted that after the accident, the windsock, located near the center of the runway, was standing "almost straight out, and was perpendicular to the runway (with winds from the west)." He further observed that this midfield gusting wind condition continued for approximately 20 minutes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90995](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90995), registered now, S/N 18-8109057 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - 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: 18-8109057 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert A. Hannaman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: 00V, COLO SPRINGS, CO - Destination: LXV, CO - Airport: LXV, Lake County Airport, runway 34, 6,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 198 total, 38 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LXV ## 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 19990314047729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990314047729A), Mar 14, 1999: Piper PA18150, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot set up to land midfield on runway 34 with winds reported to be from 300 degrees at 8 knots. According to the pilot, during the landing flare 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. --- 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.