# NTSB GAA15CA107: Piper PA 18A 150, N7860D, Hay, WA, June 4, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2015, 08:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Hay, WA - Coordinates: 46.604442, -117.875556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6044&lon=-117.8756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91310 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91310/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91310 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA107 ## Probable cause The pilot's and flight instructor's improper brake application during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to make a positive transfer of controls. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The rated pilot and flight instructor were practicing off airport landings in unimproved areas in the tailwheel equipped airplane. After two evaluation passes, the pilot landed. The pilot reported that during the rollout the airplane had oscillations around the lateral axis and the pilot applied the brakes. The flight instructor also applied brake pressure during the landing roll. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the accident may have been avoidable with better communication and transfer of controls with the flight instructor. ## Factual narrative The rated pilot and flight instructor were practicing off airport landings in unimproved areas in the tailwheel equipped airplane. After two evaluation passes, the pilot landed. The pilot reported that during the rollout the airplane had oscillations around the lateral axis and the pilot applied the brakes. The flight instructor also applied brake pressure during the landing roll. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the accident may have been avoidable with better communication and transfer of controls with the flight instructor. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7860D (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18A 150 (A150) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6009 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 3845 - Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Walla Walla University - Registered owner: Walla Walla University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2015 - Departed: 16W, STARBUCK, WA - Destination: Hay, WA - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 26, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 305 total, 11 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,582 total, 97 in this make and model, 2,494 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KALW, 35 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 20150604007739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150604007739A), Jun 4, 2015: Piper PA-18A 150, Starbuck, WA, Substantial damage. Training flight for off-airfield landing. After touchdown and during rollout, pilot felt instructor apply brakes, so pilot increased his brake pressure to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91310. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Lift Strut (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Lift%20Strut%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Rudder and Vertical Stabilizer (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Rudder%20and%20Vertical%20Stabilizer%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.