# NTSB GAA18CA290: Piper PA 14, N1423P, Vashon, WA, May 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2018, 20:00 local (May 20, 2018, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Vashon, WA - Coordinates: 47.45861, -122.476943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4586&lon=-122.4769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97296 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97296/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97296 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA290 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll due to his right foot inadvertently applying pressure to both rudder pedals. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [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-14, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, his right foot inadvertently applied pressure to both rudder pedals during the takeoff roll. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wingtip struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, elevator, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, his right foot inadvertently applied pressure to the right and left rudder pedals during the takeoff roll at night. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane ground-looped to the left and the right wing tip struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the elevator and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1423P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1423P-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 1423, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 14 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-14) (registry code 7101402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1423 - Year built: 1948 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kanakanak Fisheries Inc. - Registered owner: Kanakanak Fisheries Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2018 - Departed: 2S1, Vashon, WA - Destination: 2S1, Vashon, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 2S1, Vashon Muni, runway 17, 2,001 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 868.2 total, 167 in this make and model, 868.2 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 18.5 in the last 30 days, 2.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KSEA, 7 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 20180519005609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180519005609A), May 19, 2018: Piper PA-14, Vashon Island, WA, Substantial damage. On take-off roll to the south, acft began wandering to the left. Left wing contacted brush/trees on east side of the field. Acft was airborne for a short time,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97296. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.