# NTSB GAA18CA441: Piper PA, N11YB, East Sound, WA, June 17, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 16, 2018, 17:30 local (Jun 17, 2018, 00:30 UTC) - Place: East Sound, WA - Coordinates: 48.708332, -122.910552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7083&lon=-122.9106&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97884 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA441 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97884/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97884 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA441 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in a gusting, left quartering headwind. ## 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-20, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102002), [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-20, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102002), [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 PA-20, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a left-wing-low (sideslip) landing and before touchdown, he leveled the wings, and the airplane bounced. He then increased the throttle slightly and adjusted the pitch to cushion the subsequent bounce, but the airplane veered right, exited the runway to the right, and ground looped. 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 airport's automated weather observation station reported that, 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 310° at 6 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 34. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during a left wing low (sideslip) landing and prior to touchdown, he leveled the wings, and the airplane bounced. He then increased the throttle slightly, adjusted the pitch to cushion the subsequent bounce but the airplane veered right, exited the runway to the right, and ground looped. 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 station located on the airport reported that 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 310° at 6 knots, gusting 12 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11YB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11YB-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 20-83, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA (20) - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-83 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 2191 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2017 - Departed: ORS, East Sound, WA - Destination: ORS, Eastsound, WA - Airport: ORS, Orcas Island, runway 34, 2,901 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 4, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 255 total, 221 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KORS ## 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 20180616015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180616015539A), Jun 16, 2018: Piper PA-20, Eastsound, WA, Substantial damage. Bounced landing, porpoised on rollout. RH MLG folded under fuselage when a/c swerved into grass, damaging LH wing and LH horiz stab. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97884. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472889&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.