# NTSB LAX97LA294: Piper PA-18-150, N57528, Chandler, AZ, August 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1997, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.320541, -111.870651 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3205&lon=-111.8707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29877 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29877/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA294 ## Probable cause The student's failure to maintain directional control due to excessive use of the rudder, and the instructor's delayed remedial action. ## 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, dual student (cause) - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis The private pilot and the CFI were practicing touch-and-go landings. The CFI stated that the student had been using too much rudder in correcting previous landings. As they touched down the airplane began to veer to the left. The CFI told the student to straighten it out and the student added too much right rudder to correct the problem. The CFI said he added left rudder and brake to try and correct the problem, but it was too late and the airplane had already begun the inadvertent ground loop/swerve. The airplane departed the runway and subsequently struck a runway sign. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 1997, at 1620 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N57528, slid off the runway and collided with an airport sign following a ground loop after touchdown at Chandler, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor and the private pilot, who was being checked out in this aircraft, were not injured. The flight originated in Chandler at 1535, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In his statement, the flight instructor reported "On the landing in question we were doing a wheel landing and (the second pilot) was using a little too much rudder in correcting on previous landings. As we touched down the aircraft started veering to the left and I told the student to straighten it out. He then added too much right rudder to correct and by the time that I could get the left rudder and a little left brake in to try and correct it, it was too late the aircraft was already starting the loop." He then stated that the airplane proceeded to ground loop to the right off the runway. The airplane entered the dirt about 90 degrees to the runway where subsequently, the left side of the fuselage struck a runway sign. The second pilot, a certificated private pilot had successfully completed his check ride for his certificate on July 31, 1997. He had 14.4 hours total time in the accident aircraft, 4.2 of which were flown solo. According to the copies of the second pilot's logbooks provided as an attachment to the Pilot/Operator report, the second pilot had a total of 77 landings in the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57528](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57528-2012-06-15), registration cancelled 2012-06-15, S/N 18-7709036, 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: 18-7709036 - Airframe hours: 4360 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chandler Air Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1997, 43 hours before - Departed: CHD - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal, runway 22, 4,395 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,550 total, 225 in this make and model, 2,343 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IWA, 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 19970818022669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970818022669A), Aug 18, 1997: Piper PA18150, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Student used too much rudder began ground loop. Instructor unable to correct departed runway struck sign. ## Other investigations on N57528 (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 DEN84LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA082), Feb 4, 1984: Piper PA-18-150 (N57528), Albuquerque, NM, 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.