# NTSB LAX87LA041: Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, Chandler, AZ, November 17, 1986 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 17, 1986, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.320137, -111.869651 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3201&lon=-111.8697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 25472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25472/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA041 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled ## Analysis AT THE END OF A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A DOWNWIND LANDING BY FOLLOWING OTHER TRAFFIC IN THE PATTERN. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT WING LIFTED. THE PILOT CORRECTED BY MOVING THE CONTROL STICK TO THE LEFT. AT THAT TIME, THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND THE RIGHT WING LIFTED. THE PILOT THEN CORRECTED BY MOVING THE CONTROL TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES WHEN THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED & WAS DAMAGED. ## 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: 18-7809068 - Airframe hours: 2656 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James D. Vaughan - Registered owner: Mike Hickey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1986, 74 hours before - Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ - Airport: P10, Chandler, runway 22, 4,395 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 258 total, 12 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19861117056149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861117056149A), Nov 17, 1986: Piper PA18150, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft ground looped during rollout from a downwind landing. ## 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 LAX05CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA121), Mar 22, 2005: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. - [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 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.