# NTSB GAA18CA422: Piper PA18S, N3982Z, Palmer, AK, July 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 15, 2018, 16:00 local (Jul 16, 2018, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.595001, -149.088607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5950&lon=-149.0886&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97767 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA422 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97767/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97767 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA422 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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-18S-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a soft-field runaway, the tail started to lift. He maintained aft pressure on the control stick, but the tail continued to lift, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that the wind was from 110º at 6 knots. The airport’s automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 16. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a soft field runaway, the tail started to lift. He maintained aft pressure on the control stick, but the tail continued to lift, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that the wind was from 110º at 6 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed on runway 16. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3982Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3982Z), registered now, S/N 18-7925, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18S (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18S-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18s-150) (registry code 7101832) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7925 - Year built: 1963 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2018, 6,579.4 hours before - Departed: PAQ, Palmer, AK - Destination: PAQ, Palmer, AK - Airport: PAQ, Palmer Buddy Woods Muni, runway 16, 6,006 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,350 in this make and model, 1,350 as pilot in command, 0.3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ ## 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 20180715011299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180715011299A), Jul 15, 2018: Piper PA-18S-150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. A planned soft field landing between runway and taxiway, may have bounced and/or been on the brakes, tail came up, prop struck ground a few times, aircraft… ## Other investigations on N3982Z (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 ANC26LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA034), Apr 30, 2026: Piper PA-18S-150 (N3982Z), Palmer, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97767. 597 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 303 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.