# NTSB FTW97LA038: Piper PA-18-125, N1334A, Westcliffe, CO, November 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 9, 1996, 11:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Westcliffe, CO - Coordinates: 38.129882, -105.460685 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1299&lon=-105.4607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20112 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20112/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA038 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The pilot said he entered a left downwind leg for runway 31. The windsock appeared 'limp, favoring down the runway from the northwest.' The airplane touched down on the runway centerline approximately 1,000 feet past the threshold and began drifting to the right. The pilot corrected with opposite rudder. The airplane drifted left and the left main wheel went off the runway edge. The pilot was attempting to return the airplane to the centerline, when the 'left main caught on pavement edge and the airplane came free, veering hard right.' The airplane then went off the right side of the runway about 1,200 to 1,500 feet past the threshold at a 40 degree angle. It went down an embankment into soft soil and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On November 9, 1996, approximately 1125 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-125 (as per registration, upgraded to a PA-18-150), N1334A, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at Westcliffe, Colorado. The airline transport pilot and private pilot rated-passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Erie, Colorado, at 1000. According to his accident report, the pilot entered a left downwind leg for runway 31 (7,000 feet x 40 feet, asphalt). The windsock appeared "limp, favoring down the runway from the northwest." The pilot said the airplane touched down on the runway centerline approximately 1,000 feet past the threshold. The airplane began drifting slightly to the right and the pilot corrected with opposite rudder. The airplane then drifted to the left and the left main wheel went off the edge of the runway. The pilot attempted to return the airplane to the centerline when the "left main caught on pavement edge and the airplane came free, veering hard right." The airplane went off the right side of the runway about 1,300 to 1,500 feet past the threshold at a 40 degree angle. It went down an embankment into soft soil and nosed over. In his report, the pilot listed conditions which he felt contributed to the accident, to wit: "1. Runway surface is rough with irregular longitudinal grooves in the asphalt, which can catch a small tail wheel (airplane) and upset (its) direction. "2. Runway is approximately 4 inches thick asphalt with shoulder of soft, loose, expansive soil which causes a 4 inch high lip. "3. Terrain falls sharply away from runway on each side with soft, expansive soil. Loose soil caught main gear and gear dug in." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1334A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1334A), registered now, S/N 18-1147, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-125 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (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: 18-1147 - Airframe hours: 3154 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cap Cub Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1996, 47 hours before - Departed: 48V, ERIE, CO - Destination: 4CO3 - Airport: 4CO3, Silver West, runway 31, 7,000 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,161 total, 63 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F ## 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 19961109035019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961109035019A), Nov 9, 1996: Piper PA18125, Westcliffe, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped over on landing. ## Other investigations on N1334A (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 DEN81FTI17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTI17), Sep 1, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N1334A), Buffalo, MT, substantial damage 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.