# NTSB DFW08CA113: Piper PA-18, N1588P, Santa Teresa, NM, April 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 23, 2008, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Santa Teresa, NM - Coordinates: 31.876388, -106.691947 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8764&lon=-106.6919&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67876/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the strong gusty crosswinds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot began a normal approach to runway 28 at his intended destination airport and stated that he had a large crosswind correction because of strong winds from the southwest. The airspeed was indicating between 60 and 70 miles per hour and no flaps were used. The pilot touched down on the main gear slightly to the right of the runway centerline and in good alignment with plenty of runway remaining. The pilot then decided due to the strong winds to attempt a go-around and applied power. According to the pilot's statement, a gust of wind brought the left wing up and the aircraft right wing appeared to be scraping the runway. The aircraft began to turn to the right and went off the north side of the runway at about 90 degrees from the runway heading. The airplane then went through a dried creek bed 10 to 12 feet deep and 50 feet wide approximately 100 feet north of the runway. The nose hit the north rim of the creek bed and the aircraft flipped and came to rest inverted facing to the west. The pilot was able to egress unassisted and sustained only minor injuries. Winds were reported at the time of the accident as 14 knots with gusts to 28 knots from 250 degrees. ## Factual narrative The pilot began a normal approach to runway 28 at his intended destination airport and stated that he had a large crosswind correction because of strong winds from the southwest. The airspeed was indicating between 60 and 70 miles per hour and no flaps were used. The pilot touched down on the main gear slightly to the right of the runway centerline and in good alignment with plenty of runway remaining. The pilot then decided due to the strong winds to attempt a go-around and applied power. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB 6120.1, Pilot /Operator Accident/ Incident Report, a gust of wind brought the left wing up and the aircraft right wing appeared to be scraping the runway. The aircraft began to turn to the right and went off the north side of the runway at about 90 degrees from the runway heading. The airplane then went through a dried creek bed 10 to 12 feet deep and 50 feet wide approximately 100 feet north of the runway. The nose hit the north rim of the creek bed and the aircraft flipped and came to rest inverted facing to the west. The pilot was able to egress unassisted and sustained only minor injuries. Winds were reported at the time of the accident as 14 knots with gusts to 28 knots from 250 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1588P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1588P), registered now, S/N 18-3751, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (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: 18-3751 - Airframe hours: 2307 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: War Eagles Air Museum - Registered owner: War Eagles Air Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007 - Departed: MacGuire Ranch, NM - Destination: 5T6, Santa Teresa, NM - Airport: 5T6, Dona Ana County Airport, runway 28, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 144 total, 18 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 14 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KELP, 17 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 20080423832079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080423832079A), Apr 23, 2008: Piper PA18, Santa Teresa, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 23, 2008 at 11:15 local time, Piper PA-18 N1588P registered to war eagles air museum of Santa Teresa, NM was landing on runway 28 at the Santa… 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.