# NTSB GAA18CA188: Piper J3C, N24751, Nampa, ID, March 30, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 30, 2018, 13:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Nampa, ID
- Coordinates: 43.583332, -116.52333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5833&lon=-116.5233&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96960/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96960
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA188

## Probable cause

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

## 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 · 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: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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 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-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane suddenly started a "sharp skid" to the left. He added that the airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck a large runway light box, and the left landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. 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 reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane suddenly started a "sharp skid" to the left. He added that the airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck a large runway light box, and the left landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24751](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24751), registered now, S/N 3421, built 1939 (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: 3421
- Year built: 1939
- Airframe hours: 2256
- Engines: Continental C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2017
- Departed: MAN, Nampa, ID
- Destination: MAN, Nampa, ID
- Airport: MAN, Nampa Muni, runway 11, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review March 8, 2018; seat: front; flight hours: 1,899 total, 185 in this make and model, 1,899 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KMAN

## 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 20180330010419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180330010419A), Mar 30, 2018: Piper J3C-65, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. During the landing rollout on runway 11 the aircraft exited the left side of the runway. It then collided with the airport runway identifier sign located @ the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96960. 952 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 829 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture%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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