# NTSB GAA19CA089: Piper J4, N27838, Forest, VA, November 30, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 30, 2018, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Forest, VA - Coordinates: 37.27111, -79.335556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2711&lon=-79.3356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98748 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98748/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98748 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA089 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 J4A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100604), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J4A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100604), [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 J4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7100604), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7100604), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper J4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7100604), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J4A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100604), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper J4A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7100604), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J4A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100604), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during final approach to land, he realized the airplane was too high, so he performed a forward slip. During touchdown, the airplane bounced twice and veered right. The airplane ground looped to the right, exited the runway, and the right main landing gear struck a guard rail. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during final approach to land, he realized he was too high and performed a forward slip. During touchdown, the airplane bounced twice and veered to the right. The airplane ground looped to the right, exited the runway, and the right main landing gear struck a guard rail. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27838](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27838-2019-05-08), registration cancelled 2019-05-08, S/N 4-1059, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J4 (A) - Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4-1059 - Year built: 1940 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: SML Aviation - Registered owner: Seaplanes R Fun Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2017 - Departed: W90, Forest, VA - Destination: W90, Forest, VA - Airport: W90, New London, runway 36, 3,164 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 17; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 17.5 total, 17.5 in this make and model, 0.3 as pilot in command, 17.5 in the last 90 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KLYH, 7 nm away ## Other investigations on N27838 (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 NYC02LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA077), Mar 28, 2002: Piper J4A (N27838), Cincinnati, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The maintenance technician's failure to properly adjust the carburetor float. Factors were the unsuitable terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98748. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470984&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.