# NTSB NYC04CA031: Piper PA-18, N3194Z, Westfield, MA, November 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 9, 2003, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Westfield, MA - Coordinates: 42.157775, -72.715553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1578&lon=-72.7156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58315/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while 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 - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign ## Analysis The student pilot reported that the wind was variable at 5 knots while he was landing on a 9,000-foot long, 150-foot wide, asphalt runway. During the rollout, the wind picked up the left wing of the airplane. The student pilot attempted to correct with left aileron input, but the right wing struck the runway. The airplane then struck a taxiway sign and came to rest upright. The reported wind about the time of the accident was variable at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 9, 2003, about 0915 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18, N3194Z, was substantially damaged while landing at Barnes Municipal Airport (BAF), Westfield, Massachusetts. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot reported that the wind was variable at 5 knots while he was landing on runway 20; a 9,000-foot long, 150-foot wide, asphalt runway. After touchdown, during the rollout, the wind picked up the left wing of the airplane. The student pilot attempted to correct with left aileron input, but the right wing struck the runway. The airplane then "ground looped," struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest upright. The student pilot reported a total flight experience of approximately 100 hours; of which, all were in the make and model, and 2 1/2 hours were as solo pilot. The reported wind at BAF, at 0853, was variable at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3194Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3194Z), registered now, S/N 18-7190, 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: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7190 - Airframe hours: 3702 - Engines: Continental C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles F. Andrews - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2003, 59 hours before - Departed: BAF, Westfield, MA - Destination: BAF - Airport: BAF, Barnes Municipal Airport, runway 20, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.68 inHg - Observed at: BAF ## 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 20031109028819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031109028819A), Nov 9, 2003: Piper PA18, Westfield, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft landed at Westfield, MA runway 20. After touch down and on roll out pilot stated a gust of wind lifted left wing causing the right wing to… ## Other investigations on N3194Z (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 NYC79DNC38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79DNC38), Jul 23, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N3194Z), Spruce Head, ME, 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.