# NTSB GAA18CA480: Piper PA18, N104CC, Raton, NM, August 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2018, 11:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Raton, NM - Coordinates: 36.7425, -104.501663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7425&lon=-104.5017&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 June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98039 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA480 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98039/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98039 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA480 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll. ## 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/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101843), [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. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the wheel landing in gusting wind conditions, the right main landing gear (MLG) touched down on the runway followed by the left MLG. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder and brakes. However, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, and its right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the right aileron, and the right elevator. The pilot reported that the airport's windsocks indicated a 5- to 10-knot "right quartering headwind." The METAR located at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 25. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the wheel landing in gusting wind conditions, the right main landing gear touched down on the runway followed by the left main landing gear. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left. The airplane ground-looped to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder and brake application. However, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and the airplane's right wing struck the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing, the right aileron, and the right elevator. The pilot reported that the airport's wind socks indicated a 5 to 10 knot "right quartering headwind." The METAR located at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 25. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N104CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N104CC), registered now, S/N 9947CC, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (150) - Registry model: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-cub-crafters-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101843) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9947CC - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 9579.2 - Engines: Lycoming O360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Doss Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Doss Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2018 - Departed: RTN, Rotan, NM - Destination: RTN, Rotan, NM - Airport: RTN, Raton Muni/Crews Field, runway 25, 4,425 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review November 9, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,692 total, 38 in this make and model, 3,905 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: KRTN ## 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 20180809014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180809014179A), Aug 9, 2018: Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, Raton, NM, Substantial damage. On August 09, 2018, at 1125 MDT, a Piper cub crafters PA-18-150, N104CC, registered to doss aviation, inc., of Colorado springs, CO, ground looped on landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98039. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471355&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - No Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Photographs-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.