# NTSB MIA07CA093: Piper J5A, N33180, Richmond, VA, May 6, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 6, 2007, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, VA
- Coordinates: 37.708889, -77.436668
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7089&lon=-77.4367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA093

## Probable cause

The improper positioning of the elevator flight control surface by the pilot-in-command while taxiing with a tailwind, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - tailwind
- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - elevator - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was landed uneventfully and while taxiing off the runway with a tailwind and incorrect elevator control input (up elevator), the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

After landing on runway 34, with the wind reported to be from 040 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots, the pilot slowed the airplane, and made a 90-degree left turn to taxi off the runway.  While taxiing with a tailwind and up elevator input, the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33180](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33180), registered now, S/N 5-456 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-456
- Airframe hours: 25200
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Banner tow, Part 91
- Operator: Van Wagner Aerial Media LLC
- Registered owner: Seashore Advertising Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006
- Departed: KOFP, Richmond, VA
- Destination: KOFP, Richmond, VA
- Airport: KOFP, Hanover County Municipal, runway 34, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; flight hours: 1,659 total, 596 in this make and model, 1,448 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observed at: KOFP

## 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 20070506006709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070506006709A), May 6, 2007: Piper J5A, Rchmond/Ashlan, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was conducting banner towing operations from Hanover municipal airport (ofp) for the nextel cup races at richmond…

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.

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