# NTSB IAD00LA075: Piper PA-18-105, N189T, Lynchburg, VA, August 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2000, 17:08 local (21:08 UTC) - Place: Lynchburg, VA - Coordinates: 37.360099, -79.220062 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3601&lon=-79.2201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD00LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50013/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00LA075 ## Probable cause Pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll-out. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During landing roll out on Runway 3, a 5,799-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway, the airplane began to turn to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn with full left rudder, but the airplane did not respond. The pilot then attempted to take-off and applied full throttle, which tightened the right turn. The pilot then reduced power, ground-looped, and exited the runway. During the ground-loop, the left wing tip contacted the ground and bent the rear wing spar. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main wheel axle was bent inward and there was no evidence of corrosion or rust. There was no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. The winds at the airport were reported from 310 degrees at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2000, at 1708 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-18-105, N189T, was substantially damaged during landing roll-out at Lynchburg Airport, Lynchburg, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said: "Was doing touch and go's at Lynchburg Regional Airport (KLYH), was clear VFR day, around 5 pm local time. Was landing on Runway 3. Winds were 360 degrees about 3MPH. Had made 5 previous landings, all normal. On sixth one, I touched down lightly just past the threshold stripes and dead on centerline in wheel landing configuration for a least 100 yards and slowed to about 30 MPH when plane started turning to the right. I applied full left rudder with no results. I still had plenty of asphalt ahead, so I decided to apply full throttle to straighten and fly it off, but throttle only tightened the turn right. So I pulled power and rode out ground loop. Was slow and gentle. Wing touched and plane pivoted on wing and went off runway backwards. Stopping on soft edge berm." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed and on-scene examination on August 15, 2000. In a written statement, the inspector said: "Left main wheel axle bent to the right from apparent side load. Aircraft made uncommanded turn. Due to sharpness of turn, the left wing tip touched the ground. Left wing rear spar was bent up." The inspector also reported that the area surrounding the axle did not appear rusted or corroded. Runway 3 was a 5,799-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway. The winds at LYH were reported from 310 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot reported 352 total flight hours, of which 98 hours were make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N189T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N189T), registered now, S/N 18-2303, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-105 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2303 - Airframe hours: 4969 - Engines: Lycoming 0235-01 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lawrence C. Spath - Registered owner: New London Taildraggers Assoc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1999, 90 hours before - Departed: W90, FOREST, VA - Destination: LYH, VA - Airport: LYH, Lynchburg Regional, runway 3, 5,799 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 352 total, 98 in this make and model, 352 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LYH ## 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 20000814041309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000814041309A), Aug 14, 2000: Piper PA18105SPEC, Lynchburg, VA, Substantial damage. (.4) During landing roll out on runway 3, a 5,799-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway, the airplane began to turn to the right. The pilot attempted to… 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.