# NTSB NYC00LA220: Piper PA-18, N17080, Westhampton, NY, August 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2000, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Westhampton, NY - Coordinates: 40.830459, -72.64907 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8305&lon=-72.6491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA220 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare during the landing. Factors were the entanglement of the tow rope with the rudder horn, and restricted rudder movement. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - external load cable/hook - entangled (contributing factor) - flight control,rudder - restricted (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot picked up a banner, and the tow rope became entangled around the airplane's rudder horn. He experienced a full right rudder deflection, and returned to the airport for landing. The pilot was unable to release the banner, and intentionally flew a steep descent angle in an attempt to land on the runway prior to the banner striking the ground. The pilot stated that he recovered too late from the descent, the airplane landed hard, and the main gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2000, about 1000 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-18, N17080, was substantially damaged while making a precautionary landing at Francis S. Gabreski Airport (FOK), Westhampton, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local banner-tow flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed FOK about 0950, and picked up a banner several minutes later. The pilot stated that when he picked up the banner, the tow rope became entangled around the airplane's rudder horn. He experienced a full right rudder deflection, and returned to FOK for landing. The pilot was unable to release the banner, and intentionally flew a steep descent angle in an attempt to land on the runway prior to the banner striking the ground. He added that during the landing, "I pull[ed] back on the yoke and added power too late to recover from my predicament." The airplane landed hard, and the main gear collapsed. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the propeller, engine, and fuselage. With the exception of the entangled banner-tow rope around the rudder horn, the inspector did not observe any other discrepancies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17080](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17080), registered now, S/N 18-7196, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7196 - Airframe hours: 8983 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Aerial Sign Company, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 31, 2000, 0 hours before - Departed: FOK - Airport: FOK, Francis S Gabreski, runway 1, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 911 total, 180 in this make and model, 805 as pilot in command, 505 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FOK ## 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 20000805039179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000805039179A), Aug 5, 2000: Piper PA18, Westhampton Bea, NY, No damage. (-23) On August 5, 2000, about 1000 EDT, a Piper PA-18, N17080, was substantially damaged while making an emergency landing at Francis s. Gabreski airport… ## Other investigations on N17080 (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 MIA79FKT69](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FKT69), May 26, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N17080), Ft Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage 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.