# NTSB LAX98LA174: Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, Sedona, AZ, May 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1998, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.939399, -111.939964 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9394&lon=-111.9400&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 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30099/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. A factor was the gusty wind. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airport AWOS was reporting winds from 140 degrees at 7 to 10 knots and recommended that runway 3 be used for landing. The pilot chose to land on runway 21 into the wind. On the landing rollout the aircraft was struck by a gust of wind and subsequently ground looped. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 1998, at 1215 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, ground looped after landing at the Sedona, Arizona, airport. The aircraft, operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight had originated from the Chandler, Arizona, airport the day of the accident and was scheduled to terminate at Sedona. The pilot stated that he received weather from Sedona's Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) which was reporting winds from 140 degrees at 7 to 10 knots, and recommended usage of runway 3. He reported that he chose to land into the wind on runway 21. The pilot stated that after landing the aircraft was struck by a gust of wind. ## 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: 78-09068 - Airframe hours: 7563 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chandler Air Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1998, 4 hours before - Departed: CHD, CHANDLER, AZ - Destination: SEZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 21, 5,132 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 129 total, 23 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLG, 20 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 19980523015429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980523015429A), May 23, 1998: Piper PA18150, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Ground looped after landing. (From .19) on may 23, 1998, at 1215 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, ground looped after landing at the… ## 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 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 - [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.