# NTSB GAA19CA285: Piper PA18, N997CC, Cody, WY, May 25, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2019, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Cody, WY - Coordinates: 44.520278, -109.023887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5203&lon=-109.0239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99494 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99494/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99494 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA285 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent loss of airplane control after overcorrecting with rudder. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, during the instructional flight, he was practicing stop-and-go landings. On his second landing, while on short final, the glidepath was lower than normal, and he increased the power setting to extend the glide. After the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he flared slightly high and leveled the airplane to keep it from sinking too fast. The airplane bounced slightly on touchdown, and he overcorrected with rudder inputs due to a crosswind. The airplane rolled forward, and the tail began to rise. The flight instructor reported that, at this point, he took over control of the airplane and applied back stick pressure; however, the airflow was too slow over the elevator flight control surface to have effect, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The left-wing lift strut and rudder were substantially damaged. The student and instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the instructional flight, he was practicing stop and go landings. On his second landing, while on short final, the glide path was lower than normal, and he increased the power setting to extend the glide. After crossing the runway threshold, he flared slightly high and leveled the airplane to keep from sinking too fast. The airplane bounced slightly on touchdown, and he overcorrected with rudder inputs due to a crosswind. The airplane rolled forward and the tail began to rise. The flight instructor reported that at this point he took over control, and applied back stick pressure, however, the airflow was to slow over the elevator flight control surface to have effect and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted on the runway. The left-wing lift strut and rudder were substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N997CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N997CC), registered now, S/N 9915CC, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (150) - Registry model: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-cub-crafters-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101843) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9915CC - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 1370 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hoodoo Land Holdings LLC - Registered owner: Hunt Oil Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2019 - Departed: COD, Cody, WY - Destination: COD, Cody, WY - Airport: COD, Yellowstone Rgnl, runway 22, 8,268 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 44; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 140 total, 140 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 5, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,167 total, 215 in this make and model, 8,036 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KCOD ## 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 20190525005129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190525005129A), May 25, 2019: Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, Cody, WY, Substantial damage. Student pilot was low on final and added power to extend. After crossing threshold for runway 22, student flared, but cut the power too quickly and added up… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99494. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Student Pilot) (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Student%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Flight Instructor) (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484803&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.