# NTSB ERA14CA136: Piper PA-18-150, N9563P, Lake Wales, FL, February 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 24, 2014, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Wales, FL - Coordinates: 27.81611, -81.579719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8161&lon=-81.5797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88855/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88855 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare during a water landing, which resulted in the wings contacting the water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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-18-150, 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: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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 According to the pilot, he was practicing an engine out maneuver to a landing on the water. At 500 feet mean sea level, the pilot "cut" the engine power and turned the carburetor heat to full on. The pilot stated that as he neared the water, he started to flare when the left float grabbed the water first. According to the airplane owner/witness, the pilot made his approach too fast and too flat. The airplane impacted the water with the front right section of the landing float and the airplane cart-wheeled to the right. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that both wings and the fuselage incurred substantial damage due to impact with the water. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was practicing an engine out maneuver to a landing on the water. At 500 feet mean sea level, the pilot "cut" the engine power and turned the carburetor heat to full on. The pilot stated that as he neared the water, he started to flare when the left float grabbed the water first. According to the airplane owner/witness, the pilot made his approach too fast and too flat. The airplane impacted the water with the front right section of the landing float and the airplane cart-wheeled to the right.Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that both wings and the fuselage incurred substantial damage due to impact with the water. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9563P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9563P), registered now, S/N 18-7609155 (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: 18-7609155 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3411 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Super Cub Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Super Cub Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 13, 2014, 10 hours before - Departed: Lake Wales, FL - Destination: Lake Wales, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 27,000 total, 12 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KBOW, 18 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 20140224001649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140224001649A), Feb 24, 2014: Piper PA-18-150, Lake Wales, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot from the netherlands comes to the u.s each spring to practice in a Piper super cub on floats as it is almost impossible to practice in europe. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N9563P (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 NYC78FHM11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FHM11), Mar 6, 1978: Piper PA-18 (N9563P), Stormville, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88855. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View of Damage to Right Wing Spar (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20Spar%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.