# NTSB LAX97LA090: Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, Chandler, AZ, January 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 15, 1997, 08:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.240356, -111.780296 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2404&lon=-111.7803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29717/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA090 ## 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. ## 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, dual student (cause) - diverted attention, dual student (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll ## Analysis The flight instructor (CFI) reported that on roll-out from a touch-and-go landing, the student looked down for the flap handle as he raised the flaps. During this process, the aircraft started to go to the right. The CFI stated, 'I tried to correct to the left using rudder and aileron, then also using power, but the plane ground looped to the right and the left wing dipped, striking the ground.' Additionally, the CFI indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft before the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 15, 1997, at 0841 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, ground looped during the landing ground roll at the Chandler, Arizona, airport. The aircraft was operated by Chandler Air Service and was engaged in a dual instructional flight familiarizing the student with conventional landing gear aircraft. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included light and variable winds of less than 2 knots. The aircraft incurred substantial damage to the left wing. Neither the commercial pilot/flight instructor nor the private pilot under instruction were injured. The flight originated at Chandler on the day of the accident at 0745. The flight instructor stated in his written report that on rollout from a touch-and-go landing the student looked down for the flap handle as he raised the flaps. During this process the aircraft started to go to the right. He noted that "I tried to correct to the left using rudder and aileron, then also using power, but the plane ground looped to the right and the left wing dipped, striking the ground." Additionally, the pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. The aircraft had accumulated 36 hours over a 3 week period since the last 100-hour inspection was performed. ## 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: 6785 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Chandler Air Service - Registered owner: D & J Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 21, 1996, 36 hours before - Departed: CHD - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal, runway 22R, 4,395 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,256 total, 28 in this make and model, 1,068 as pilot in command, 282 in the last 90 days, 123 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 2 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KIW, 8 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 19970115000469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970115000469A), Jan 15, 1997: Piper PA18150, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost control looking for flap handle on landing. Ground looped. CFI failed to correct swerve. ## 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 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.