# NTSB GAA17CA275: Piper PA18, N1258C, Seward, AK, May 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2017, 12:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Seward, AK - Coordinates: 60.130001, -149.416946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1300&lon=-149.4169&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95160 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95160/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95160 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA275 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's incorrect brake application during a high-speed taxi with a tailwind, 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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-18-135, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Taxi: 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, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he was providing tailwheel instruction for the pilot, who was in the front seat of the tandem-seat airplane and did not possess a tailwheel endorsement. Following multiple landings earlier in the flight, the pilot was practicing a high-speed taxi in tailwind conditions. Upon reaching about 20 mph ground speed, "directional control began to be lost." Subsequently, the flight instructor applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left-wing lift strut sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the accident airport recorded that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 9 knots. The flight instructor reported they were taxiing north on runway 31. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that he was providing tailwheel instruction for the pilot, who was in the front seat of the tandem seat airplane, and who did not possess a tailwheel endorsement. Following multiple landings earlier in the flight, the pilot was practicing a high-speed taxi in tailwind conditions. Upon reaching about 20 mph ground speed, "directional control began to be lost." Subsequently, the flight instructor applied brakes and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left-wing lift strut sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 170° at 9 knots. The flight instructor reported they were taxiing north on runway 31. ## 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: 5978.06 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2017 - Departed: SWD, Seward, AK - Destination: SWD, Seward, AK - Airport: SWD, Seward, runway 31, 4,533 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,321 total, 716 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 30; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 20170511005229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170511005229A), May 11, 2017: Piper PA-18-135, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft was taxiing on runway 31. The aircraft began to swerve, and the instructor pilot applied the brakes. The aircraft nosed over while still on the… ## 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 GAA16CA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA264), May 22, 2016: Piper PA18 (N1258C), Seward, AK, substantial damage. 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… - [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 (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95160. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454059&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - NTSB_Memo for Record_Seward Police Department Incident Report (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB_Memo%20for%20Record_Seward%20Police%20Department%20Incident%20Report-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.