# NTSB GAA17CA348: Piper PA 16, N5896H, Palatka, FL, June 18, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 18, 2017, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Palatka, FL
- Coordinates: 29.658056, -81.68972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6581&lon=-81.6897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95399/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95399
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA348

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101602), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after flying a stable approach, the airplane ground looped to the right during the landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after flying a stable approach, the airplane ground looped to the right on rollout. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5896H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5896H-2018-08-18), registration cancelled 2018-08-18, S/N 16-514, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 16 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-514
- Year built: 1949
- Airframe hours: 3405
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2017
- Departed: 3FL0, WELAKA, FL
- Destination: 28J, Palatka, FL
- Airport: 28J, Palatka Muni - Lt Kay Larkin F, runway 27, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,620 total, 120 in this make and model
- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,402 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: K42J, 22 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 20170618011139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170618011139A), Jun 18, 2017: Piper PA-16, Palatka, FL, Substantial damage. Upon arrival at Palatka airport (28J) the [privacy data omitted]pilot in command (PIC), flying from the LH seat, offered to let passenger (pax), seated in the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95399. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 807 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 320 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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