# NTSB GAA16CA264: Piper PA18, N1258C, Seward, AK, May 22, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 21, 2016, 19:15 local (May 22, 2016, 03:15 UTC) - Place: Seward, AK - Coordinates: 60.126667, -149.419998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1267&lon=-149.4200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93270/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93270 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA264 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain proper airspeed and descent rate, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and landing gear collapse. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 895 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,682 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, while on short final, the headwind dissipated and the airplane started to slow and sink. He instructed the pilot receiving instruction in the front seat to add power, but she did not complete the action immediately. After realizing the action was not complete the flight instructor added full power, but the airplane continued to descend at an accelerated rate and touched down hard upon landing. Subsequently, the main landing gear collapsed and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, while on short final, the headwind dissipated and the airplane started to slow and sink. He instructed the pilot receiving instruction in the front seat to add power, but she did not complete the action immediately. After realizing the action was not complete the flight instructor added full power, but the airplane continued to descend at an accelerated rate and touched down hard upon landing. Subsequently, the main landing gear collapsed and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1258C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1258C), registered now, S/N 18-2497, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (135) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2497 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 5962 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2016 - Departed: SWD, SEWARD, AK - Destination: SWD, SEWARD, AK - Airport: SWD, Seward, runway 34, 2,289 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 67; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,081 total, 670 in this make and model, 3,960 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: PAWD ## 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 20160521021679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160521021679A), May 21, 2016: Piper PA-18-135, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. As the aircraft began to flare on landing, the airspeed became too slow. An attempt to add power was made, but the throttle response was too slow to respond.… ## Other investigations on N1258C (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 GAA17CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA275), May 11, 2017: Piper PA18 (N1258C), Seward, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's incorrect brake application during a high-speed taxi with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over. - [NTSB ANC11CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA076), Aug 13, 2011: Piper PA-18-135 (N1258C), Coldfoot, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent application of the right brake pedal during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over. - [NTSB DEN70D0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70D0003), Mar 18, 1969: Piper PA-18 (N1258C), Flagler, CO, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93270. 7.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor) (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot Receiving Instruction) (item 3, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20Receiving%20Instruction)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442573&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.