# NTSB GAA18CA130: Piper PA 16, N5726H, Phoenix, AZ, February 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 13, 2018, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.688331, -112.082496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6883&lon=-112.0825&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 May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96744/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96744 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA130 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind conditions. ## 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101602), [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. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the touchdown, a wind gust struck the airplane from the right. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right and the left landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 180° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 7L. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the touchdown, a gust of wind struck the airplane from the right. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right and the left gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport reported, that about the time of the accident the wind was from 180° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 7L. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5726H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5726H-2019-07-03), registration cancelled 2019-07-03, S/N 16-338, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16-338 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 2135 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2017 - Departed: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ - Destination: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Airport: DVT, Phoenix Deer Valley, runway 07L, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 24,000 total, 2.2 in this make and model, 23,500 as pilot in command, 2.2 in the last 90 days, 2.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KDVT ## 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 20180213002539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180213002539A), Feb 13, 2018: Piper PA-16, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot who many years ago had owned and flown for 800 hours a J-3 aircraft, had just purchaced PA-16. After three landings departed on a cross country flight to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96744. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 890 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (Courtesy of Owner) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 698 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture%20(Courtesy%20of%20Owner)-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.