# NTSB FTW97LA241: Piper PA-18, N1754A, Clovis, NM, June 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 1997, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Clovis, NM - Coordinates: 34.410385, -103.199073 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4104&lon=-103.1991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20259 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20259/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA241 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was an unexpected gust of wind during landing touch down. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing touch and go landings. He reported that during the third landing, a gust of wind caught the tail wheel as it touched down, turning the aircraft to the left. He tried to increase power to lift off but 'was out of control.' Subsequently, the left wing struck a fence, and the aircraft 'cart wheeled.' The pilot reported that the winds were from the south at 2 knots and that the gust of wind was 'unexpected.' A nearby weather facility, reported the winds to be from 190 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 1997, approximately 1730 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, N1754A, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at a private airstrip, near Clovis, New Mexico. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported, via a statement in NTSB form 6120.1/2, that he was doing touch and go landings on runway 36. He reported that during the third landing, a gust of wind caught the tail wheel equipped airplane as it touched down, turning the aircraft to the left. He tried to increase power to lift off but "was out of control." Subsequently, the left wing struck a fence, and the aircraft "cart wheeled", resulting in structural damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported the steady state winds to be from the south at 2 knots and that the gust of wind was "unexpected." A nearby weather reported facility (AWOS), located at Clovis Municipal Airport, reported the winds to be from 190 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1754A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1754A), registered now, S/N 18-1319 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-318 - Airframe hours: 1323 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ted Stallings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1997, 16 hours before - Departed: NM42 - Airport: NM42, Aero Tech, runway 36, 3,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,158 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 17,158 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Observed at: CVN ## 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 19970627016169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970627016169A), Jun 27, 1997: Piper PA18A, Clovis, NM, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff. Exited runway. Left wing hit fence. Cartwheeled. Damaged both wings and tail. Blamed wind. (-23) on June 27, 1997, approximately 1730… ## Other investigations on N1754A (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 DEN85LQA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LQA03), Jul 4, 1985: Piper PA-18A (N1754A), Tucumcari, NM, 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.