# NTSB LAX87LA050: Piper PA-18-150, N76EV, Half Moon Bay, CA, November 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1986, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Half Moon Bay, CA
- Coordinates: 37.439563, -122.409812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4396&lon=-122.4098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA050

## 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
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED MODESTO AIRPORT (MOD), MODESTO, CALIFORNIA, ON A V.F.R. PLEASURE FLIGHT TO HALF MOON BAY AIRPORT (HAF), HALF MOON BAY, CA. THE FLT TO HAF WAS UNEVENTFUL. THE PLT NEGOTIATED A TRAFFIC PATTERN TO RUNWAY 30. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE PLT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING BEGAN TO RISE AND HE IMMEDIATELY ADDED POWER AND LEFT AILERON, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE CALM AND THE FLIGHT CONTROLS OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76EV), registered now, S/N 18-7609103, built 1976 (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: 187609103
- Airframe hours: 1765
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Emory Vlach
- Registered owner: Emery Vlach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1986, 129 hours before
- Departed: MOD, MODESTO, CA
- Airport: HAF, Half Moon Bay, runway 30, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,825 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19861125072259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861125072259A), Nov 25, 1986: Piper PA18150, Half Moon Bay, CA, Substantial damage. Allowed a wing to rise up during a touch and go. Dragged opposite wing on the runway and 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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