# NTSB GAA19CA027: Piper J3C, N6048H, Camas, WA, October 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 13, 2018, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Camas, WA - Coordinates: 45.627777, -122.404441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6278&lon=-122.4044&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 April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98510 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98510/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98510 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA027 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [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 J3C-65, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/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 J3C-65, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100510), [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 J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7100510), [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 J3C-65, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7100510), [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 J3C-65, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that this was the student pilot's first solo in a tailwheel-equipped airplane and that the accident occurred during the landing roll of the fourth landing. He added that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered left. The student attempted to correct with right rudder input but overcorrected and was unable to stop the veer. The airplane continued off the runway and the left wing impacted a pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that this was the student pilot's first solo in a tailwheel equipped airplane and the accident had occurred during the landing roll of the forth landing. He added that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left. The student corrected with right rudder input, but over corrected and was unable to arrest the veer. The airplane continued off the runway and the left wing impacted a pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left wing. The instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The investigator-in-charge made multiple attempts to contact the student pilot but was unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6048H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6048H), registered now, S/N 19194, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3C - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19194 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4336.9 - Engines: Continental Motors A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2018 - Departed: 1W1, Camas, WA - Destination: 1W1, Camas, WA - Airport: 1W1, Grove Field, runway 25, 2,710 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 17; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 14.8 total, 14.8 in this make and model, 0.3 as pilot in command, 14.8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KTTD, 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 20181013019929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181013019929A), Oct 13, 2018: Piper J3C-65, Camas, WA, Substantial damage. Student pilot on initial solo made 4 patterns and 3 full stop landings on the grass between runway 25 and the taxiway at Grove Field (1W1). Winds were light… ## Other investigations on N6048H (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 GAA17CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA506), Aug 9, 2017: Piper J3C (N6048H), Camas, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98510. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470202&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.