# NTSB GAA19CA045: Piper PA18, N4500W, Denver, CO, October 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2018, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.569999, -104.849441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5700&lon=-104.8494&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): 98583 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98583/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98583 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [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 PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot under instruction in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26-inch bush wheels reported that, during the approach, he saw indications of a headwind. He added that, when the airplane touched down on the main wheels, he noticed that the windsock had shifted and was indicating a direct left crosswind. Just before the tailwheel touched down, the left wing lifted, and he slowly added power to abort the landing. However, the airplane veered left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the elevator. The airport's automated surface observing system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 25 knots, gusting to 30 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot under instruction was in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26-inch bush wheels and reported that he observed indications of a head wind during the approach to the asphalt runway. He asserted that when the airplane touched down on the mains, he noticed that the windsock had shifted indicating a direct left crosswind. Just before the tailwheel touched down, the left wing lifted, and he slowly added power to abort the landing. However, the airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the elevator. The automated surface observing system at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 25 knots and gusting to 30 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4500W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4500W), registered now, S/N 18-8009019, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8009019 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 3725.61 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2019 - Departed: APA, Denver, CO - Destination: APA, Denver, CO - Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 28, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 390 total, 25 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2019; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,527.5 total, 2.2 in this make and model, 1,492 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 25 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KAPA ## 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 20181027020999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181027020999A), Oct 27, 2018: Piper PA-18-150, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. On 10/27/2018 at 11:52 MDT, N4500W a Piper super cub PA-18-150 sustained substantial damage to its right wing after ground loop during landing rollout on… ## Other investigations on N4500W (4) 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 WPR26LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA348), Sep 15, 2026: Piper PA-18-150 (N4500W), Roundup, MT, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ANC03LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA107), Sep 3, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N4500W), Koliganek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain. - [NTSB ANC97TA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97TA045), Apr 1, 1997: Piper PA-18 (N4500W), Noatak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and damage to the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were: the ice/snow… - [NTSB ANC92T#A12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92T%23A12), Dec 19, 1991: Piper PA-18-150 (N4500W), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98583. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.