# NTSB LAX93LA220: Piper PA-18-150, N9461P, Vacaville, CA, May 21, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1993, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.350177, -121.929847 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3502&lon=-121.9298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28387/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA220 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering strong and gusty cross winds during the landing flare. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis An FAA inspector witnessed the accident and reported that the aircraft was landing with a right 45 degree cross wind he estimated at 14 knots with higher gusts to 17 knots. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft ground looped and nosed over. The inspector stated that he routinely flies into and out of the airport, and, due to some trees bordering the airport, the wind conditions can sometimes be highly variable with wind shears and vortex situations. All of the pilot's flight time was accrued in tail wheel aircraft. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1993, at about 1335 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA18 150, N9461P, ground looped and nosed over on landing at the Nut Tree airport, Vacaville, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The local area pattern practice flight originated at Vacaville, California, on the day of the mishap at about 1300 hours. An FAA inspector witnessed the accident. He reported that the aircraft was landing on runway 20 with a right 45 degree cross wind he estimated at 14 knots with higher gusts to about 17 knots. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft ground looped and nosed over. The inspector stated that he routinely flies into and out of the airport, and, due to some trees bordering the airport, the wind conditions can sometimes be highly variable with wind shears and vortex situations. The FAA inspector reported that he examined the pilot's logbook. All of the pilot's flight time was accrued in tail wheel aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9461P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9461P), registered now, S/N 18-7509133, built 1975 (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: 18-7509133 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joy I. Smith - Registered owner: Joy I. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: O45 - Destination: O45 - Airport: O45, Nut Tree, runway 20, 3,800 × 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: 120 total, 20 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 245° at 14 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19930521015089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930521015089A), May 21, 1993: Piper PA18150, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Landing in gusty crosswind. Ground looped. All flight time in tail draggers. Uneven tree line cause d turbulence. ## Other investigations on N9461P (1) 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 LAX02LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA023), Nov 8, 2001: Piper PA-18-150 (N9461P), Herald, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay initiating a go-around during a downwind approach to a short runway. 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.