# NTSB ERA12CA015: Piper PA-18-150, N3491Z, Elizabethton, TN, October 7, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2011, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Elizabethton, TN - Coordinates: 36.371112, -82.173332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3711&lon=-82.1733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82015 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82015/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82015 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA015 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After an unremarkable preflight inspection and preflight engine run-up, the pilot, who was a friend of the pilot/part owner in the passenger seat, departed with a short-field technique and entered a steep climb. He then pushed forward on the flight control stick to lower the nose to a straight and level flight attitude; the airplane then began to sink. The pilot pushed the control stick forward to gain airspeed and ensured that the engine was at full power. The left wing dipped, followed by the right wing, which dropped sharply. The pilot applied full left rudder and full left aileron, and the right wing started to recover; however, there was insufficient altitude and the airplane impacted the ground. Witnesses stated that they observed the airplane take off and climb in about a 45-degree nose-high attitude. They further stated that, as the airplane gained altitude, it struggled to gain airspeed as it climbed to about 100 feet above ground level. The wings dipped and wobbled before the airplane struck the ground. ## Factual narrative The pilot/part owner of the airplane decided to go fly with a pilot friend The preflight inspection and preflight ground run up check went unremarkable. The pilot elected to let the friend fly the airplane. The pilot flying stated that they departed with a short field technique climbing up to 150 feet above ground level (agl). He pushed forward on the flight control stick to lower the nose to a straight and level flight attitude. The airplane began to sink upon completion of the pushover maneuver. He pushed the control stick forward to gain airspeed; throttle at full engine power. The left wing dipped followed by the ring wing, which dropped off sharply. He applied full left rudder and full left aileron, the right wing started to recover; however, there was insufficient altitude and the airplane impacted the ground. Ground witnesses stated that they observe the airplane takeoff and climb in about a 45 degrees nose high attitude. As it gained altitude it struggled to gain airspeed. At its highest point of the climb, about 100 feet agl, the wings dipped to the right and then left; wobbling. The airplane began to nose down toward the right in a steep angle. The wings wobbled again. The nose of the airplane started to rise just before the right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane then spun 180 degrees coming to a full stop on its right side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3491Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3491Z), registered now, S/N 18-7331, built 1960 (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: 18-7331 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2011 - Departed: 0A9, Elizabethton, TN - Destination: 0A9, Elizabethton, TN - Airport: 0A9, Elizabethton Municipal, runway 06, 4,529 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 4,200 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: 0A9 ## 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 20111007021749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111007021749A), Oct 7, 2011: Piper PA-18-150, Elizabethton, TN, Substantial damage. Prior to boarding the aircraft, the pilots decided who would be pilot-in- command. The pilot-in-command took the rear seat and the the other pilot took the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82015. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 635 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 339 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: View of the Airplane. Image Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 3, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356497&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20View%20of%20the%20Airplane.%20Image%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF 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.