# NTSB MIA98LA116: Piper PA-18-135, N2150A, Myrtle Beach, SC, March 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 1998, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.770019, -78.779785 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7700&lon=-78.7798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38484/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA116 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control after 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 - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot-in-command (PIC) was conducting a familiarization flight. The PIC said that after touchdown on runway 23, he 'lost directional control.' The aircraft veered left, then veered to the right; he then tried to add left brake with no success. While veering right the aircraft tipped up and dragged the left wing. He then taxied to the ramp to inspect the aircraft. According to the FAA Inspector that was at the crash site, '...during a crosswind landing on runway 23...the pilot lost directional control of his aircraft.' The pilot said that the wind was gusty and from the south. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 180 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 1998, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18-135, N2150A, registered to Barnstormer Flite Signs Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 local flight, impacted the runway while landing near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and one commercial-rated pilot/passenger were not injured. The flight had originated from the Grand Strand Airport, at 1000. The pilot-in-command (PIC) was conducting a familiarization flight when the accident occurred. The PIC said that after touchdown on runway 23, "...the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft veered left then veered to the right, I then tried to add left brake with no successes, while veering right the aircraft tipped up and dragged the left wing. We then taxied to the ramp to inspect the aircraft." According to the FAA Inspector that was at the crash site, "...during a crosswind landing on runway 23...the pilot lost directional control of his aircraft. The pilot told the FAA Inspector that the airplane came to rest on runway 23 before the first turnoff. In addition, the pilot told the FAA Inspector, according to the inspector's statement, that "the wind was gusty and from the south." The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 180 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2150A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2150A), registered now, S/N 18-1862, built 1956 (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: 18-1862 - Airframe hours: 7202 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barnstorm Flite Signs Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1998, 9 hours before - Departed: CRE - Airport: CRE, Grand Strand, runway 23, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,280 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19980330009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980330009379A), Mar 30, 1998: Piper PA18135, North Myrtle Be, SC, Substantial damage. Familiarzation flight. Lost directional control landing. Tipped up on nose and a wing. Blamed crosswind. (.4)the pilot-in-command (PIC) was conducting a… ## Other investigations on N2150A (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 ERA10CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA300), Jun 6, 2010: Piper PA-18-135 (N2150A), North Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. 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.