# NTSB MIA98LA071: Piper PA-18-150, N5975Z, New Smyrna Bch, FL, January 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 1998, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL - Location: 29.0258° N, 80.9270° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Smyrna Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0258&lon=-80.9270&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38451/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA071 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot entered the traffic pattern, and due to heavy traffic in the pattern, he elected to land on the runway in use, rather than land on a runway that was more aligned with the wind. The pilot performed a wheel landing with full flaps extended. After touchdown with a crosswind from the right, the airplane yawed to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and full power to go around, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot then aborted the takeoff. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on grass adjacent to the runway with substantial damage. The pilot stated that he should have landed first with the right main and tailwheel to maintain directional control in the crosswind. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 1998, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N5975Z, registered to Precision Soaring, Inc., experienced a loss of control while landing at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 7 minutes earlier from the Massey Ranch Airpark, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The pilot stated that the flight entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 29 and he was advised that the wind was from the northwest at 10 knots with slight gusts, which he noted while on final approach. The airplane was landed first on the main landing gear with the flaps fully extended and after the tail wheel was lowered to the runway, the empennage was pushed to the left. He then corrected with full left rudder and applied full power, but the airplane then veered off the left side of the runway. He aborted the takeoff, and with obstacles ahead, intentionally ground looped the airplane, which resulted in damage to the right wing spar and the collapse of the right main landing gear. He further stated that he intended to land on runway 33 which was more aligned with the wind, but with traffic in the pattern using runway 29, he elected to use the same runway. He also stated that he should have touched down first with the right main and tailwheel to assist with maintaining the directional control in the crosswind condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5975Z (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8230 - Airframe hours: 10589 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Precision Soaring, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1997, 68 hours before - Departed: X50 - Destination: 34J - Airport: 34J, New Smyrna Beach Muni, runway 29, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,674 total, 68 in this make and model, 1,429 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 9 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 19980131002449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980131002449A), Jan 31, 1998: Piper PA18150, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Lost directioanl control landing in moderate crosswind. Ground looped. Failed use proper crosswind procedures. (-23) on 31 January, 1998, at approximately… 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.