# NTSB GAA17CA506: Piper J3C, N6048H, Camas, WA, August 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2017, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Camas, WA - Coordinates: 45.627777, -122.404167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6278&lon=-122.4042&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): 95875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA506 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95875/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95875 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA506 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during 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 J3C-65, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100510), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/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 J3C-65, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor, who was providing tailwheel instruction, reported that, after several dual landings, he exited the airplane to allow the pilot receiving instruction to conduct a solo flight. The flight instructor further reported that, during the pilot's third solo landing, he observed the pilot make a wheel landing. During the landing, the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a hangar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor, who was giving tailwheel instruction reported that, after several dual landings, he exited the airplane to allow the pilot receiving instruction to conduct a solo flight. The flight instructor further reported that, during the pilot's third solo landing, he observed the pilot make a wheel landing. During the landing, the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a hangar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6048H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6048H), registered now, S/N 19194, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C (65) - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19194 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3990.7 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2017 - Departed: 1W1, Camas, WA - Destination: 1W1, Camas, WA - Airport: 1W1, Grove Field, runway 25, 2,710 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 22, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,078 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,008 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KTTD, 5 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 20170809010339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170809010339A), Aug 9, 2017: Piper J3C-65, Camas, WA, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was PIC of N6048H, a PA-J3C-65 on August 9, 2017 at 1009 local. PIC was undergoing tailwheel transition training and was being observed… ## Other investigations on N6048H (1) 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 GAA19CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA027), Oct 13, 2018: Piper J3C (N6048H), Camas, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95875. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 932 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 568 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.