# NTSB GAA16CA440: Piper PA 18-150, N5408Y, Palmer, AK, August 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2016, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.283611, -148.446105 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2836&lon=-148.4461&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 January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 93870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA440 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93870/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93870 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA440 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive brake application during the landing roll resulting in a nose over. ## 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: [Piper PA-18-150, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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-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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, she over flew the sand bar that she wanted to land on, in order to ensure that the area was free of hazards. She reported that she executed the approach, touched down, and during the landing roll, "I hit the brakes too hard" and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the flight with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, she over flew the sand bar that she wanted to land on, in order to ensure that the area was free of hazards. She reported that she executed the approach, touched down, and during the landing roll, "I hit the brakes too hard" and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the flight with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5408Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5408Y), registered now, S/N 18-8171, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-150 (A150) - 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: 18-8171 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 4204.91 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2015 - Departed: PABV, Chugiak, AK - Destination: PABV, Chugiak, AK - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review July 14, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 120.5 total, 120.5 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 4 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 20160819024149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160819024149A), Aug 19, 2016: Piper PA-18-150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. According to the pilot, she over flew the sand bar that she wanted to land on, in order to ensure that the area was free of hazards. She reported that she… ## Other investigations on N5408Y (7) 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 GAA19CA564](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA564), Sep 23, 2019: Piper PA18 (N5408Y), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to depart from an off-airport surface covered with standing water, which resulted in a noseover. - [NTSB ANC08LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA075), Jun 22, 2008: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and liftoff, which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground. - [NTSB ANC05CA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA084), Jun 11, 2005: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Pamler, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors associated with the accident are a tailwind… - [NTSB ANC02LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA027), Mar 28, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate supervision of the student pilot by the instructor. Factors associated with the accident are the snow-covered runway and the loss of directional control by the student pilot. - [NTSB ANC84LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA102), Jun 24, 1984: Piper PA-18-180 (N5408Y), Bear Creek, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74DAG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG66), Oct 1, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68F0023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68F0023), Mar 6, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Mcgrath, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93870. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446630&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.