# NTSB FTW97LA017: Piper PA-18-135, N9967Q, Boulder, CO, October 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 1996, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Boulder, CO - Coordinates: 40.020378, -105.249626 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0204&lon=-105.2496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20092/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA017 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his improper use of rudder. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The pilot landed in a 3-point attitude on runway 8 and allowed the wind (estimated to vary between 270 and 300 degrees at 6 to 9 knots) to get underneath the upwind wing. He said the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline, and he corrected with opposite aileron and rudder 'somewhat excessively.' As the airplane returned to the runway centerline, he applied left rudder, again 'somewhat excessively.' The pilot said the airplane veered to the left and he applied 'right rudder aggressively.' The airplane swerved to the right. Side loads were imposed, the left tire separated from the wheel rim, and the airplane ground looped. The pilot indicated he had logged 4 hours in the airplane in the previous 90 days. Three of the four hours were with an instructor. The accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane as pilot-in-command. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 1996, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N9967Q, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Boulder, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Boulder, Colorado, on October 12, 1996, 1330. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident report, the pilot had been practicing touch and go landings on runway 08 for about an hour. On his last landing, he touched down in a 3-point attitude. He allowed the wind (estimated to vary between 270 and 300 degrees at 6 to 9 knots) to get underneath the upwind wing. The pilot said the airplane drifted left of runway centerline, and he corrected with opposite aileron and rudder "somewhat excessively." As the airplane returned to runway centerline he applied left rudder, again "somewhat excessively." The airplane veered to the left. To avoid a parallel glider landing strip, the pilot applied "right rudder aggressively." The airplane swerved to the right. Side loads caused the left tire to separate from the wheel rim and "induce a skidding 180 degree turn to the right." The airplane departed the right side of the runway tail first. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane pivoted around on its wing tip. In his accident report, the pilot indicated he had logged 4 hours in the Piper PA-18-135 in the previous 90 days. Three of the 4 hours were with an instructor. The accident flight was his first flight in the airplane as pilot in command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9967Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9967Q), registered now, S/N 18-4012, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4012 - Airframe hours: 4323 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dakota Ridge Aviation - Registered owner: Terence F. Danton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1996 - Departed: 1V5 - Destination: 1V5 - Airport: 1V5, Boulder Municipal, runway 8R, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 304 total, 4 in this make and model, 231 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 9 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC, 9 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 19961012032249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961012032249A), Oct 12, 1996: Piper PA18135, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft ground looped on landing. ## Other investigations on N9967Q (2) 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 SEA02LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA094), Jun 2, 2002: Piper PA-18-135 (N9967Q), Payette, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions during landing resulting in a ground loop/swerve. Wind gusts were a contributing factor. - [NTSB DEN89LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA179), Jul 25, 1989: Piper PA-18-135 (N9967Q), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE WING. 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.