# NTSB GAA18CA303: Piper PA18, N4018E, Kenai, AK, May 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2018, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.490001, -151.235 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4900&lon=-151.2350&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 November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97339/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97339 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA303 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a tailwind. ## 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-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [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-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101828), [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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and lift struts. 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 station located about 5 miles north of the accident airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 36. ## Factual narrative The pilot the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and lift struts. 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 station located about 5 miles to the north of the accident airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 36. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4018E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4018E), registered now, S/N 18-7809040, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7809040 - Year built: 1977 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Destination: 0AA7, Kenai, AK - Airport: 0AA7, Kalifonsky Meadows, runway 36, 2,539 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2017; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 3 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: PAEN, 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 20180527006069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180527006069A), May 27, 2018: Piper PA-18-150, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was landing to the north on runway with slight crosswind. Airman lost control on landing and ground-looped. Aircraft equipped with large 29" tires. ## Other investigations on N4018E (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 ANC21LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA072), Aug 12, 2021: Piper PA-18-150 (N4018E), Rohn, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97339. 564 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.