# NTSB GAA15CA011: Piper PA18 - 150, N4785F, Boulder, CO, March 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 16, 2015, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Boulder, CO - Coordinates: 40.038612, -105.229721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0386&lon=-105.2297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90898/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90898 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during a bounced landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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: [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) - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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) ## Analysis While conducting a flight to practice landings in a tailwheel equipped airplane, the pilot made an approach to the runway. During the landing, the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane as it touched down several times. The airplane exited the right side of the runway onto the grass and the left wing struck an embankment. A postaccident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative While conducting a flight to practice landings in a tailwheel equipped airplane, the pilot made an approach to the runway. During the landing, the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane as it touched down several times. The airplane exited the right side of the runway onto the grass and the left wing struck an embankment. A postaccident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4785F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4785F), registered now, S/N 18-7906, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 - 150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7906 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 14829 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Soaring Society of Boulder Inc - Registered owner: Soaring Society of Boulder Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2014 - Departed: KBDU, Boulder, CO - Destination: KBDU, Boulder, CO - Airport: KBDU, Boulder Municipal, runway 08, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 5, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 621 total, 31 in this make and model, 477 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KBDU ## 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 20150316003149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150316003149A), Mar 16, 2015: Piper PA-18-150, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. On 03/16/2015 at 0815 hrs MDT,N4785F a Piper PA-18-150 was damaged when the aircraft left the runway an impacted a berm. Single pilot was uninjured. Weather at… ## Other investigations on N4785F (3) 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 GAA19CA572](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA572), Sep 23, 2019: Piper PA18 (N4785F), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. - [NTSB DEN00LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA126), Jul 8, 2000: Piper PA-18-150 (N4785F), Erie, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: Aircraft control was not possible by the flight instructor due to the inadequate maintenance adjustment of the tail wheel steering system by maintenance personnel. Factors were the inadequate… - [NTSB DEN99LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA111), Jul 1, 1999: Piper PA-18-150 (N4785F), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing roll. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90898. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Leading Edge of Left Wing (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Leading%20Edge%20of%20Left%20Wing-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Back Side of Left Wing (item 3, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Back%20Side%20of%20Left%20Wing-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.