# NTSB ERA12CA037: Piper PA-18-150, N929SC, Deland, FL, October 15, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2011, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Deland, FL - Coordinates: 29.066944, -81.283607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0669&lon=-81.2836&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 February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82097/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82097 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing a three point landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane when the airplane veered to the left after touchdown. The pilot stated that when he tried to correct to the right, he heard an abnormal noise from the tailwheel, and the tailwheel locked. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane had exited the right side of the runway, hit a taxiway sign, traveled 50 more yards, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fabric was torn in numerous places, the propeller was broken, the forward left wing strut was bent, the right landing gear was broken and bent up under the fuselage, and the fuselage was twisted. The examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls; the tailwheel moved freely to the left and right with rudder pedal application, and no binding was noted. ## Factual narrative While practicing three point takeoffs and landings in the tail wheel equipped airplane for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required examination, the pilot experienced a loss of control when the airplane veered to the left after touchdown. The pilot stated that he tried to correct to the right but that he heard an abnormal noise from the tailwheel and then it locked. Examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane had run off the right side of the runway, hit a taxiway sign, traveled 50 more yards, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed that its airframe was substantially damaged. The fabric was torn in numerous places, the propeller was broken, the forward left wing strut was bent, the right landing gear was broken and bent up under the fuselage, and the airframe exhibited evidence of torsional deformation. Further examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls. No binding was discovered and the tailwheel would move freely to the left and right with rudder pedal application. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N929SC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N929SC), registered now, S/N 18-7909002, 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 O-360-C1G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1g) (registry code 42284, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7909002 - Airframe hours: 12722 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2011 - Departed: DED, Deland, FL - Destination: DED, Deland, FL - Airport: DED, Deland Municipal Airport, runway 05, 4,301 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 654 total, 141 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 13 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 20111015025769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111015025769A), Oct 15, 2011: Piper PA-18-150, Deland, FL, Substantial damage. On October 15, 2011 at approximately 1915 EDT, a Piper PA-18-150 (N929SC), serial# 18-7909002, was practicing touch and go's at kded. The aircraft was piloted… ## Other investigations on N929SC (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA14CA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA140), Mar 1, 2014: Piper PA 18-150 (N929SC), Mayaguez, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82097. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 462 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Report from Local Agency (Deland Police Department Incident Report) (item 4, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20Local%20Agency%20(Deland%20Police%20Department%20Incident%20Report)-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photograph of Taxiway Sign (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Taxiway%20Sign%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph of Wheel Ruts (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Wheel%20Ruts%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph of Main Wreckage (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-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.