# NTSB GAA19CA211: Tubbs S/Performance Air PA-18-225, N755K, Denver, CO, April 16, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 16, 2019, 11:15 local (17:15 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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99280/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99280 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA211 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground-loop. ## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0561857), [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: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0561857), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0561857), [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: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0561857), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0561857), [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: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0561857), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he made a three-point landing. During the landing roll, the airplane veered left, and he corrected with right rudder and right brake. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he made a three-point landing. During the landing roll, the airplane veered left, and he corrected with right rudder and right brake. Subsequently, the airplane ground-looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N755K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N755K), registered now, S/N PA 0105, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tubbs S/Performance Air Inc PA-18-225 - Registry model: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225](https://openairdocs.org/model/tubbs-s-performance-air-pa18-225) (registry code 0561857) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C4P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c4p) (registry code 42289, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: PA 0105 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 624.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 4, 2018 - Departed: APA, Denver, CO - Destination: APA, Denver, CO - Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 28, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,234 total, 491 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 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 20190416002899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190416002899A), Apr 16, 2019: Tubbs S/Performance Air Inc PA18-225, Centennial, CO, Substantial damage. At touch down aircraft veered left, pilot corrected to right, left wing contacted runway, aircraft rotated 180 degrees. ## Other investigations on N755K (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 CEN10CA488](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA488), Aug 20, 2010: Tubbs S/Performance Air PA18-225 (N755K), Denver, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99280. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474126&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.