# NTSB GAA19CA117: Piper PA 18-135, N89018, Longmont, CO, January 3, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 3, 2019, 15:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.164165, -105.163612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1642&lon=-105.1636&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98921/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98921 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's 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 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: 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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 reported that it was his first flight as pilot-in-command of the tundra tire- and tailwheel-equipped airplane. While on the fourth three-point landing to the concrete runway, after the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered left. He corrected with right rudder and attempted to return to the runway centerline and then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to veer right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The owner of the airplane, who was seated in the rear seat, reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during his first flight as pilot-in-command of the tundra tire, tailwheel-equipped airplane, while on the 4th three-point landing to the concrete runway, after the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered left. He corrected with right rudder and attempted to return to the runway centerline, then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to veer right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The owner of the airplane, who was seated in the rear seat, reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89018](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89018), registered now, S/N 18-3583, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 18-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3583 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 4680.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2018 - Departed: LMO, Longmont, CO - Destination: LMO, Longmont, CO - Airport: LMO, Vance Brand, runway 29, 4,799 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 0.5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KLMO ## 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 20190103000109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190103000109A), Jan 3, 2019: Piper PA-18-135, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. Have written statement on police report stating that the pilot over corrected a drift on touchdown which caused a ground loop and left hand main gear collapse. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 9, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98921. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 958 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Additional Information (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471806&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Information-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.