# NTSB ERA13CA280: Piper PA-25-260, N169AB, Hollywood, FL, May 31, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 31, 2013, 18:36 local (22:36 UTC)
- Place: Hollywood, FL
- Coordinates: 26.001943, -80.401107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0019&lon=-80.4011&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 July 29, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87172/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87172
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA280

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-25-260, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102508), [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-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102508), [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-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the operator, the pilot performed several practice banner pick-ups in the tailwheel equipped airplane prior to joining the traffic pattern to land. The final approach was uneventful, the tailwheel contacted the runway first, and then the airplane settled onto the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, and the pilot applied full power in an attempt to "fly out of the ground loop." As the airspeed of the airplane increased, it departed the runway, struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the operator, the pilot performed several practice banner pick-ups in the tailwheel equipped airplane prior to joining the traffic pattern to land. The final approach was uneventful, the tailwheel contacted the runway first, and then the airplane settled onto the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, and the pilot applied full power in an attempt to "fly out of the ground loop." As the airspeed of the airplane increased, it departed the runway, struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N169AB), registered now, S/N 25-4517, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4517
- Airframe hours: 6636
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aerial Banners North Inc
- Registered owner: Aerial Banners North Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 28, 2013
- Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL
- Destination: HWO, Hollywood, FL
- Airport: HWO, North Perry Airport, runway 10L, 3,240 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 621 total, 2 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: HWO

## 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 20130531011109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130531011109A), May 31, 2013: Piper PA-25-260, Hollywood, FL, Substantial damage. On 05-31-2013, upon landing at hwo runway 10L, pilot lost control of aircraft. Aircraft ran off runway into grass. Aircraft flipped upside down. There was…

## Other investigations on N169AB (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 NYC08CA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA141), Mar 17, 2008: Piper PA-25-260 (N169AB), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The entanglement of the hook rope with the rudder horn during banner pickup.

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87172. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 376 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396766&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record: Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396764&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- HWO Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HWO%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of Airport) (item 4, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Airport)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Closer View of Inverted Wreckage (Courtesy of Airport) (item 5, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Closer%20View%20of%20Inverted%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Airport)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: View of damaged fuselage (Courtesy of Airport) (item 6, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20View%20of%20damaged%20fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Airport)-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.

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