# NTSB GAA16CA204: Piper PA 18, N2518A, Palmer, AK, April 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 18, 2016, 19:30 local (Apr 19, 2016, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.495834, -149.142501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4958&lon=-149.1425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93074 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93074/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93074 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land on unsuitable terrain and incorrect brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: [Piper PA-18, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [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: [Piper PA-18, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll on a sandbar, and as the sand transitioned from dry sand to wet sand, he applied brakes and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lift strut and the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll on a sandbar, and as the sand transitioned from dry sand to wet sand, he applied brakes and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lift strut and the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2518A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2518A), registered now, S/N 18-2148, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18 (105 SPECIA) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2148 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 7823.3 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2016 - Departed: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK - Destination: Palmer, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 22, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 6 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 20160418006569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160418006569A), Apr 18, 2016: Piper PA-18, Butte, AK, Substantial damage. 04/18/2016: Piper PA-18 serial number 18-2148 departed bgq at 1845 and flew (VFR) direct to the knik river drainage. On landing roll the aircraft Encountered a… ## Other investigations on N2518A (2) 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 ANC90LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA186), Sep 22, 1990: Piper PA-18-150 (N2518A), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. - [NTSB OAK74DXQ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DXQ27), Mar 18, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N2518A), Ely, NV, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93074. 941 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 659 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440619&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.