# NTSB GAA16CA112: Piper PA 18A 150, N9295D, Auburn, WA, January 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 24, 2016, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Auburn, WA - Coordinates: 47.329166, -122.226669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3292&lon=-122.2267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92635/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92635 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA112 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot receiving instruction to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground-loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-18A 150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that during the landing roll the airplane veered left. The pilot receiving instruction applied a "sharp application" to the right brake. The flight instructor further reported that he directed the pilot receiving instruction "off the brakes", a total of three times. As a result of the right brake application, the airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that during the landing roll the airplane veered left. The pilot receiving instruction applied a "sharp application" to the right brake. The flight instructor further reported that he directed the pilot receiving instruction "off the brakes", a total of three times. As a result of the right brake application, the airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9295D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9295D), registered now, S/N 18-6602 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18A 150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6602 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 3902 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Daryl Hickman - Registered owner: Sunstate Aircraft LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 2015 - Departed: PLU, PUYALLUP, WA - Destination: S50, Auburn, WA - Airport: S50, Auburn Muni, runway 34, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 333.5 total, 7.6 in this make and model, 284.7 as pilot in command, 47.5 in the last 90 days, 19.5 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,634 total, 357 in this make and model, 3,546 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KSEA, 8 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 20160124000459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160124000459A), Jan 24, 2016: Piper PA-18A 150, Auburn, WA, Substantial damage. During instruction aircraft ground looped during landing rollout. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92635. 904 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Email (pilot receiving instruction) (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20(pilot%20receiving%20instruction)-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Flight Instructor) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Flight%20Instructor)-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.