# NTSB GAA18CA268: Piper PA 15, N4534H, Fulton, NY, May 5, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 5, 2018, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Fulton, NY
- Coordinates: 43.350276, -76.387779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3503&lon=-76.3878&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 October 24, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97220/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97220
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA268

## Probable cause

The pilot’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 PA-15, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101502), [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-15, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101502), [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-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101502), [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-15, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in crosswind conditions, the airplane ground looped to the right. 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 at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 24.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in crosswind conditions, the airplane ground looped to the right. 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 at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 24.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4534H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4534H), registered now, S/N 15-307, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 15 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15-307
- Year built: 1948
- Airframe hours: 2274.7
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 2018
- Departed: Hastings
- Destination: FZY, Fulton, NY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FZY, Oswego County, runway 24, 3,996 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review July 4, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 358 total, 348.8 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 1.6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KFZY

## 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 20180505004679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180505004679A), May 5, 2018: Piper PA-15, Fulton, NY, Substantial damage. On 5/05/2018, at approximately 1130 local time, sport pilot was preparing to land at fzy. Pilot stated he overflew the runway and the wind sock was favoring…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97220. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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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