# NTSB ERA22LA003: Culp John S Culps Specl Sopwith, N329CC, Pottstown, PA, October 1, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 1, 2021, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Pottstown, PA - Coordinates: 40.239556, -75.556722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2396&lon=-75.5567&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104036/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104036 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA003 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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: [Culp John S CULPS SPECL SOPWITH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05617YF), [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: [Culp John S CULPS SPECL SOPWITH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05617YF), [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: [Culp John S CULPS SPECL SOPWITH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617YF), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Culp John S CULPS SPECL SOPWITH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05617YF), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he recently purchased the experimental, amateur-built, free-castering tailwheel airplane. He had completed nine takeoffs and landings uneventfully on the day of the accident. During the tenth landing, as the tail touched down, the airplane turned left. The pilot tried to correct with full right rudder and right brake application; however, the airplane continued to travel left, and ground looped on the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the wreckage by a mechanic did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N329CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N329CC), registered now, S/N 1009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CULP JOHN S CULPS SPECL SOPWITH - Registry model: [Culp John S CULPS SPECL SOPWITH](https://openairdocs.org/model/culp-john-s-culps-specl-sopwith) (registry code 05617YF) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1009 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 216 - Engines: Vendenayer M-14P 360 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2021, 13 hours before - Airport: PTW, Heritage Field, runway 28, 3,371 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2021; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,182 total, 3 in this make and model, 12,830 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 5,250 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: PTW ## 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 20211001017889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211001017889A), Oct 1, 2021: Culp John S CULPS SPECL SOPWITH, Pottstown, PA, Substantial damage. PIC was conducting familiarization training in the aircraft which he recently purchased. [privacy data omitted]Was passenger and mentor for insurance request.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104036. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12811990&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summaries (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12837536&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12812199&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12812459&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.