# NTSB MIA08LA130: Piper PA-18-135, N3257B, Hollywood, FL, June 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 2008, 14:03 local (18:03 UTC) - Place: Hollywood, FL - Coordinates: 26.001111, -80.245552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0011&lon=-80.2456&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68341/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to achieve the proper touchdown point on landing and improper use of brakes. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the throttle cable attachment tab due to preexisting cracks. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was conducting a banner tow flight. He returned to the airport and dropped the banner, applied power to go around, and the throttle stuck at 2,500 rpm. He informed the control tower he was unable to reduce power and entered a right downwind for runway 9 right. The pilot reached under the instrument panel and pulled on the throttle cable. The throttle returned to the idle position while the airplane was abeam the landing threshold. The pilot turned the airplane on base leg, and realized the airplane was high and fast. He started slipping the airplane to lose altitude and the airplane touched down on the last one-third of the runway. The pilot observed the end of the runway, applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed the throttle cable tab was separated from the airframe. Examination of the tab revealed the tab fractured due to two preexisting cracks that extended across at least 75 percent of the tab cross-sectional area. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2008, at 1403 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N3257B, registered to Seashore Advertising Corporation, and operated by Van Wagner Aerial Media, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, as a banner tow flight, nosed over on landing roll out at North Perry Airport (HOW), Hollywood, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage to the vertical fin, and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from HOW on June 28, 2008 at 1000. The pilot stated he dropped the banner, applied power to go around, and the throttle stuck at 2,500 rpm. He informed the control tower he was unable to reduce power and entered a right downwind for runway 9 right. The pilot reached under the instrument panel and pulled on the throttle cable. The throttle returned to the idle position while the airplane was abeam the landing threshold. The pilot turned the airplane on base leg, and realized the airplane was high and fast. He started slipping the airplane to lose altitude and the airplane touched down on the last one-third of the runway. The pilot observed the end of the runway, applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over inverted. Examination of the airplane by maintenance personnel revealed the throttle cable attachment tab was separated from the airframe. There was no evidence of corrosion or a preexisting crack. The throttle cable tab was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory, Washington, D.C., for further analysis. Examination of the throttle cable attachment tab revealed the tab fractured due to two preexisting cracks that extended across at least 75 percent of the tab cross-sectional area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3257B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3257B), registered now, S/N 18-3275, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3275 - Airframe hours: 27261 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Van Wagner Aerial Media - Registered owner: Seashore Advertising Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007, 99.3 hours before - Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Destination: HWO - Airport: HWO, North Perry Airport, runway 9R, 3,255 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 930 total, 275 in this make and model, 805 as pilot in command, 254 in the last 90 days, 84 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KHWO ## 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 20080628849759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080628849759A), Jun 28, 2008: Piper PA18135, Hollywood, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 28, 2008, at 1403 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N3257B, registered to seashore advertising corporation and operated by van wagner… ## Other investigations on N3257B (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 NYC08LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA033), Nov 6, 2007: Piper PA-18-135 (N3257B), Durbin, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power while in cruise flight due to the partially separated crankshaft oil seal. 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.