# NTSB ERA14CA140: Piper PA 18-150, N929SC, Mayaguez, PR, March 1, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 1, 2014, 17:50 UTC - Place: Mayaguez, PR - Coordinates: 18.255556, -67.14833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2556&lon=-67.1483&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88867/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88867 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA140 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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-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) - [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) ## 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) ## Analysis According to a written statement provided by the pilot to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, he performed a three-point landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane. The airplane "bounced two times," and then it veered to the right. According to a written statement from the passenger, the "approach was normal, [but the] problems started after touchdown." The airplane turned to the right, the pilot initiated a go around; however, the left wing rose up, and the airplane "lost control" to the right. The airplane came to rest in the grass on the right side of the runway, and incurred substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to a written statement provided by the pilot to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, he performed a three-point landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane. The airplane "bounced two times," and then it veered to the right. According to a written statement from the passenger, the "approach was normal, [but the] problems started after touchdown." The airplane turned to the right, the pilot initiated a go around; however, the left wing rose up, and the airplane "lost control" to the right. The airplane came to rest in the grass on the right side of the runway, and incurred substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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 - Year built: 1979 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Yellow Media Group Inc - Registered owner: Yellow Media Group Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: TJMZ, Mayaguez, PR - Destination: TJMZ, Mayaguez, PR - Airport: TJMZ, Eugenio Maria de Hostos, runway 27, 4,998 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Observed at: TJMZ ## 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 20140301004819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140301004819A), Mar 1, 2014: Piper PA-18-150, Mayaguez, PR, Substantial damage. On March 1, 2014 at approximately 1350 EDT, a Piper PA-18-150 (N929SC), was approaching runway 27 for landing. After a three point landing the aircraft bounces… ## 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 ERA12CA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA037), Oct 15, 2011: Piper PA-18-150 (N929SC), Deland, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate directional control during the landing roll. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88867. 7.8 MB in all. - Memorandum for Record: Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot and Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector’s Statement (item 3, .PDF, 598 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record: Weather Information (item 4, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Airplane at Rest (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Rest%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of Damage to Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Damage%20to%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-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.