# NTSB GAA17CA428: Piper L 21B, N3907E, Cartersville, GA, July 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2017, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Cartersville, GA - Coordinates: 34.123054, -84.848609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1231&lon=-84.8486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA428 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95637/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95637 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA428 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll and subsequent excessive brake application, which resulted in a nose-over. ## 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 L-21B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101815), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper L-21B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101815), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [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 L-21B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101815), [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 L-21B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101815), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper L-21B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101815), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper L-21B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101815), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper L-21B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101815), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper L-21B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101815), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the purpose of flight was to meet takeoff and landing requirements necessary to carry passengers. During the pilot's second landing, during the landing roll, the airplane veered right, and he attempted to correct with left rudder. The rudder input was ineffective, and he attempted to gain directional control using differential braking. However, during the brake applications, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the purpose of flight was to meet takeoff and landing requirements necessary to carry passengers. During the pilot's second landing, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right and he attempted to correct with left rudder. The rudder input was ineffective, and he attempted to gain directional control using differential braking. However, during the brake applications the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3907E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3907E), registered now, S/N 53-7759 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER L 21B (B) - Registry model: [Piper L-21B](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-l-21b) (registry code 7101815) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 53-7759 - Airframe hours: 3670 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 B2B 160 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2016 - Departed: VPC, CARTERSVILLE, GA - Destination: VPC, CARTERSVILLE, GA - Airport: VPC, Cartersville, runway 19, 5,760 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 2, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 199 total, 64 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KVPC ## 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 20170722009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170722009149A), Jul 22, 2017: Piper L-21B, Cartersville, GA, Substantial damage. On 07/22/2017 at approximately 1345 local time at the Cartersville Airport (vpc) ^Mr. William g. roper^ was practicing landings in N3907E, a Piper L-21B cub.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95637. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 254 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.