# NTSB GAA16CA456: Piper PA18, N7184B, Kenai, AK, August 27, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 27, 2016, 11:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.774166, -151.898605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7742&lon=-151.8986&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA456
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93913/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93913
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA456

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper soft field landing technique on a soft grass airstrip, which resulted in a nose over.

## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/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-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: 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, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel and tundra tire equipped airplane reported that during landing on a soft grass airstrip he conducted a wheel landing instead of a three-point landing. The pilot further reported that during the landing roll, the main landing gear dug into the ground, which resulted in a nose over and substantial damage to both wing struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A; SOFT-FIELD LANDING The tailwheel should touch down simultaneously with or just before the main wheels, and should then be held down by maintaining firm back-elevator pressure throughout the landing roll. This will minimize any tendency for the airplane to nose over and will provide aerodynamic braking. The use of brakes on a soft field is not needed because the soft or rough surface itself will provide sufficient reduction in the airplane's forward speed. Often it will be found that upon landing on a very soft field, the pilot will need to increase power to keep the airplane moving and from becoming stuck in the soft surface.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel and tundra tire equipped airplane reported that during landing on a soft grass airstrip he conducted a wheel landing instead of a three-point landing. The pilot further reported that during the landing roll, the main landing gear dug into the ground, which resulted in a nose over and substantial damage to both wing struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A; SOFT-FIELD LANDING The tailwheel should touch down simultaneously with or just before the main wheels, and should then be held down by maintaining firm back-elevator pressure throughout the landing roll. This will minimize any tendency for the airplane to nose over and will provide aerodynamic braking. The use of brakes on a soft field is not needed because the soft or rough surface itself will provide sufficient reduction in the airplane's forward speed. Often it will be found that upon landing on a very soft field, the pilot will need to increase power to keep the airplane moving and from becoming stuck in the soft surface.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7184B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7184B), registered now, S/N 18-5224, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (150)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5224
- Year built: 1956
- Airframe hours: 3690.8
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 2016
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Destination: Off Airport, AK
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 994 total, 721 in this make and model, 973 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAEN, 23 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 20160827022929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160827022929A), Aug 27, 2016: Piper PA-18-150, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Landing area was wet and vegetated, wheels dug in and caused aircraft to nose over, resulting in aircraft settling upside down.

## Other investigations on N7184B (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 GAA19CA515](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA515), Aug 27, 2019: Piper PA18 (N7184B), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent loss of directional control and impact with a tree.
- [NTSB GAA18CA558](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA558), Sep 13, 2018: Piper PA18 (N7184B), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and subsequent loss of directional control on an unimproved airstrip.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93913. 2.7 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=40445400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 792 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.

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