# NTSB LAX01LA130: Piper PA18-150, N9299D, Holbrook, AZ, March 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 29, 2001, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Holbrook, AZ - Coordinates: 34.939498, -110.090179 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9395&lon=-110.0902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 51996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51996/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA130 ## Probable cause Failure of the rudder lower hinge attach point resulting in a loss of rudder control and steerable tailwheel control. A factor was the crosswind condition. ## 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 - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - flight control,rudder - failure (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot lost directional control after landing and the airplane veered off the runway to the right coming to rest on the nose. He reported a left crosswind of about 10 knots. The pilot also reported that the lower rudder hinge point had separated from the vertical tail post. The steerable tail wheel is attached to the rudder horns near that hinge. As a result of the failure of the lower rudder hinge point, both rudder control and tail wheel steering were lost, resulting in the pilot's inability to maintain direction control. ## Factual narrative On March 29, 2001, about 1030 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA18-150, N9299D, was substantially damaged during landing rollout at Holbrook, Arizona. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Buckeye, Arizona, on the morning of the accident, and was destined for Farmington, New Mexico, with a stop at Holbrook. The pilot reported that when he landed on runway 21 the wind was out of the east about 10 knots. During touchdown the airplane immediately veered right 90 degrees, and exited the runway into sage brush coming to rest on the nose. No official weather was available for the location. The pilot also reported that the lower rudder hinge point had separated from the vertical tail post. The steerable tail wheel is attached to the rudder horns near that hinge. Pictures of the failure were included in the pilot's report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9299D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9299D-2019-01-25), registration cancelled 2019-01-25, S/N 18-6606, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-660600 - Airframe hours: 2577 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A3P 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles A. Cook - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 2001, 20 hours before - Departed: BXK, Buckeye, AZ - Destination: P14, Holbrook, AZ - Airport: P14, Holbrook Municipal, runway 21, 6,740 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 1, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 485 total, 100 in this make and model, 485 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.50 inHg ## 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 20010329005579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010329005579A), Mar 29, 2001: Piper PA18150, Holbrook, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19)On March 29, 2001, about 1030 hours MST, a Piper PA18-150, N9299D, op erated by the pilot was substantially daamged during landing rollout at Holbrook,… ## Other investigations on N9299D (3) 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 ANC14CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA023), Apr 22, 2014: Piper PA 18A 150 (N9299D), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, resulting in a collision with terrain and ground loop. - [NTSB LAX02LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA087), Feb 16, 2002: Piper PA-18-150 (N9299D), Beatty, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane. - [NTSB ANC95LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA065), Jun 5, 1995: Piper PA-18-150 (N9299D), Manley Hot Spri, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECTLY COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. THE GUSTING WIND CONDITION WAS A FACTOR. 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.