# NTSB LAX05CA121: Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, Chandler, AZ, March 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 22, 2005, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.266666, -111.800003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2667&lon=-111.8000&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 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61192/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA121 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane ground looped off the runway and collapsed the right main gear during a touch-and-go. The pilot reported that upon touchdown, he lost directional control and the airplane veered left and then ground looped off the runway. The right wing tip was damaged upon contact with the ground, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the loss of control. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 2005, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, ground looped during an attempted touch-and-go landing at Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. Chandler Air Service, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained minor damage. The local personal flight departed Chandler about 1615. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 33 degrees 16 minutes north latitude and 111 degrees 48 minutes west longitude. The pilot was conducting his second touch-and-go landing. Upon touching down, he stated that he lost control and the airplane veered to the left and spun around 180 degrees. The plane came to rest off the runway on the right wing tip with the right main gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the loss of control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4101E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4101E-2006-05-24), registration cancelled 2006-05-24, S/N 18-7809068, built 1978 (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: 18-78098068 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chandler Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KCHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: KCHD, Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal Airport, runway 22L, 4,850 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 106 total, 21 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20050322004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050322004929A), Mar 22, 2005: Piper PA18150, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot states he was performing touch & go landing practice (conventional gear airplane). On his second landing he was not properly aligned with the… ## Other investigations on N4101E (5) 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 LAX98LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA174), May 23, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Sedona, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. A factor was the gusty wind. - [NTSB LAX97LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA090), Jan 15, 1997: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. The student's diverted attention was a related factor. - [NTSB LAX90LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA054), Dec 19, 1989: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Bumble Bee, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY MANNER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND THE DESERT TERRAIN. - [NTSB LAX88LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA027), Oct 28, 1987: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Casa Grande, AZ, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX87LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA041), Nov 17, 1986: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage 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.