# NTSB MIA06CA059: Piper PA-18, N2875D, SanJuan, PR, March 4, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 4, 2006, 09:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: SanJuan, PR - Coordinates: 18.221708, -66.590911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2217&lon=-66.5909&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 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63423 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63423/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that after landing at the appropriate airspeed without the banner on runway 9, she applied appropriate airplane control corrections to maintain the airplane on the runway centerline, but immediately after touchdown a strong gust caused the airplane to ground loop to the right. She said that she applied control corrections to counteract the wind, but the airplane did not respond. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing incurred damage. The pilot said that there were no pre-accident anomalies with the airplane or any of its systems. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2006, about 0930 Atlantic standard time, a Piper, PA-18, N2875D, registered to and operated by Aerial Sign of Puerto Rico, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing flight, ground looped during landing at Isla Grande Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. the commercial-rated pilot was not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the same day, about 0910. The pilot stated that after landing at the appropriate airspeed without the banner on runway 9, she applied appropriate airplane control corrections to maintain the airplane on the runway centerline, but immediately after touchdown a strong gust caused the airplane to ground loop to the right. She said that she applied control corrections to counteract the wind, but the airplane did not respond. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing incurred damage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane or any of its systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2875D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2875D), registered now, S/N 18-1931, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1931 - Airframe hours: 4004 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aerial Sign of Puerto Rico - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 2005, 81 hours before - Departed: TJIG, SanJuan, PR - Destination: TJIG - Airport: runway 09, 5,217 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: front; flight hours: 405 total, 88 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: SJU ## 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 20060304005739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060304005739A), Mar 4, 2006: Piper PA18135, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot landed at Isla Grande Airport (sig) runway 9 with crosswind conditions of 180 degrees at 10 KTS gusting to 15. Whe stated that a three point… ## Other investigations on N2875D (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 ERA14LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA198), Apr 13, 2014: Piper PA-18-135 (N2875D), Aguas Buenas, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. 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.