# NTSB IAD98LA108: Piper PA-18-150, N7236K, Oxford, CT, September 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1998, 18:57 local (22:57 UTC) - Place: Oxford, CT - Location: 41.4783° N, 73.1352° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WATERBURY-OXFORD (OXC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4783&lon=-73.1352&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43941 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43941/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA108 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to separation of the tailwheel spring assembly. ## 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 - landing gear,tailwheel - separation (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot said he made a three point landing, and during the landing roll the aircraft drastically veered to the right. He said he tried to correct with power, but the aircraft impacted a brushy area veered off the right side of the runway down an embankment. Examination of the tailwheel revealed the right side tailwheel rudder spring was missing, while the left side was hanging and not connected. According to the airplane log books, the last annual inspection was completed on September 28, 1997. The airplane had accumulated over 6.5 hours since it was rebuilt in September 1997. Prior to the inspection, the last entry in the log book was dated in 1981. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1998, at 1857 eastern daylight time, N7236K, a Piper PA-18-150, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing on runway 36 at the Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Oxford, Connecticut. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, "...a three point landing was made-airspeed and flare appeared normal, wind was calm from the north...At touchdown and thereafter aircraft drastically veered to the right. [I] tried to correct with power but aircraft impacted a brushy area... ." The airplane was examined at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. The examination included the brakes and the flight controls and no anomalies were noted. Examination of the tailwheel revealed the right side tailwheel rudder spring was missing, while the left side was hanging and not connected. The right main gear forward strut was found broken near the forward attach point. The right main strut forward fitting was sent to the NTSB Laboratory for examination. According to the NTSB Metallurgist, visual examination of the fitting fracture revealed features consistent with tensile shear overstress. No indications of preexisting cracking, significant corrosion or weld discontinuities were observed. According to the airplane log books, the last annual inspection was completed on September 28, 1997. The airplane had accumulated over 6.5 hours since it was rebuilt in September 1997. Prior to the inspection, the last entry in the log book was dated in 1981. The pilot reported over 233 hours of total flight experience which included 40 hours in tailwheeled airplanes, and 20 hours in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7236K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7236K), registered now, S/N 18-127, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-127 - Airframe hours: 2445 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert T. Wislocky - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1997, 7 hours before - Departed: OXC - Airport: OXC, Waterbury-Oxford, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 233 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OXC ## 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 19980913023779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980913023779A), Sep 13, 1998: Piper PA18150, Oxford, CT, Substantial damage. Acft veered off the rwy on landing and ran into the woods. (.4) the pilot said he made a three point landing, and during the landing roll the aircraft… 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.