# NTSB GAA19CA022: Piper PA 18-135, N6690D, Cherry Ridge, PA, October 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2018, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Cherry Ridge, PA - Coordinates: 41.515556, -75.251663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5156&lon=-75.2517&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 March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FSDO - FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98487/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98487 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA022 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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-18-135, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101820), [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-18-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101820), [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. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101820), [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 PA-18-135, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after conducting a three-point landing, during the landing roll, the wind changed direction and lifted the left wing, ­and the airplane ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, after a 3-point landing, during the landing roll, the wind changed direction, lifted the left wing, ­and the airplane ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator. 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 system located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was 200º at 7 knots and about 35 minutes after the accident, the wind was 230 at 7 knots. The pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, the wind shifted to a right crosswind. The airplane landed on runway 36. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6690D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6690D), registered now, S/N 18-3848, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 18-135 (B) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3848 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 3827 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2018 - Departed: N30, Honesdale, PA - Destination: N30, Honesdale, PA - Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge, runway 36, 2,986 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 728.4 total, 12.5 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 93.8 in the last 90 days, 59.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KMPO, 23 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 20181014020049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181014020049A), Oct 14, 2018: Piper PA-18-135, Honesdale, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing runway 36 at the Cherry Ridge Airport Honesdale, PA ( N30). Pilot landed and was hit by a gust of wind causing the airplane to ground loop.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98487. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.