# NTSB LAX01LA258: Piper PA-18-150, N7696L, Tulelake, CA, July 22, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2001, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Tulelake, CA
- Coordinates: 41.800197, -121.459053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8002&lon=-121.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA258

## Probable cause

The right main tire blew out resulting in a loss of directional control and a ground loop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tire - ruptured (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - diminished, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

The right wing and elevator sustained damage during a ground loop.  The landing roll was normal until the right main tire blew and the pilot lost control.  The airplane veered off the runway and ground looped.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 2001, about 1000 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N7696L, blew a tire and ground looped on landing at Tulelake, California.  Macy Flying Service, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal local flight departed about 0830.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot submitted a written statement.  He said the landing roll was normal until the right main tire blew and he lost control.  The airplane veered off the runway and completed a ground loop, which damaged the right wing and elevator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7696L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7696L), registered now, S/N 18-7409124, built 1974 (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: 18-7409124
- Airframe hours: 2992
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Macy Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 2001, 29 hours before
- Departed: O81, Tulelake, CA
- Airport: O81, Tulelake Municipal, runway 29, 3,577 × 44 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 16, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 1,700 total, 125 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: LMT, 23 nm away

## 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 20010722016829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010722016829A), Jul 22, 2001: Piper PA18150, Tulelake, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Tire went flat on landing. Aircraft ground looped. (.19) on July 22, 2001, about 1000 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N7696L, ground looped…

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.

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