# NTSB GAA17CA501: Piper PA18, N7678D, Tyonek, AK, August 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2017, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 60.956111, -151.638885 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9561&lon=-151.6389&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA501 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95861/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95861 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA501 ## Probable cause The pilot’s use of excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted 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 · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101837), [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-18A 150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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-18A 150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during an off-airport landing on wet, marsh vegetation, he used "excessive braking," and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift struts and rudder. 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 during an off airport landing on wet, marsh vegetation, he used "excessive braking" and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift struts and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7678D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7678D), registered now, S/N 18-5900, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (A150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5900 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 6761 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2017 - Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: Tyonek, 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; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 inHg - Observed at: PAEN, 26 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 20170817013429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170817013429A), Aug 17, 2017: Piper PA-18A 150, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted to land off airport in vegetation. During rollout, applied hard braking and flipped aircraft on its back. Damaged rudder and right wing to include… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95861. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457533&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 998 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457534&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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. --- 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.