# NTSB NYC96LA103: Piper PA-18, N2528S, Marshfield, MA, May 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1996, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Marshfield, MA - Location: 42.0998° N, 70.6893° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marshfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0998&lon=-70.6893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39179 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39179/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA103 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a loss of control, on-ground collision with terrain, and the aircraft nosing over. The sudden windshift was a related factor. ## 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 - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The pilot landed on runway 24 and encountered a sudden wind shift. The airplane touched down on the main gear, then twice the tail lowered and raised followed by the propeller striking the runway. The airplane went off the right side of the runway onto grass, then it nosed over and came to rest inverted. About 5 minutes before touchdown, the wind was recorded to be from 260 degrees at 8 knots. About 2 minutes after touchdown, the wind was recorded as 190 degrees, variable to 310 degrees, at 8 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1996, at 1210 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N2528S was substantially damaged during a landing at the Marshfield Airport, Marshfield, Massachusetts. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological condition prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight which originated at Marshfield, at 1100, and was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...Wind was [from] S.W. 10-20 at end of flight. Came in on [runway] 24 for short final...I believe wind was from S.W. about 15 knots and noticed plane taxiing for runway 24 so I came in a little fast because it can get thermally on 24 at 3B2 for more control of plane. As I touched down, plane became very squirrley and started to ground-loop to right. Used rt. aileron and left rudder working on instinct and feel...Had plane under control landing with rt. Main firm on runway when tail rose up...Put aft. Rt. Aileron and full left rudder with a little left brake to stop ground-loop and stay aligned with runway and regained control. Tail came down again, and promptly shot up once more, this happened with full rt and rear aileron and elevator control aft. Tail came down as plane slowed and then popped up again and drove prop into runway. I still had plane under control and fighting to save landing when plane went off rt. side of runway and when hit the grass nosed over, plane came to rest inverted...." A witness reported: "I was taxiing on the parallel taxi-way when I saw 28S in final. The wind was shifting from 24 to rw 6 as 28S was on final approach. It became very gusty with wind speed near 30 kts. The approach looked good...28S was doing a good X-wind wheel landing with the upwind mail planed on the runway. The tail dropped to the runway and it looked like the landing was going to be successful, then the tail popped up. 28S recovered and continued the roll when the tail came up one more time and drove the prop into the ground stopping the engine. The tail came back down as he started to head off the runway. About 15 or 20 feet onto the grass the tail rose up one last time, buried the nose and 28S went onto its back...." According to a designated weather observer, at 1205, the winds were reported to be from 260 degrees at 8 knots, and at 1212, and the winds were reported to from 190 degrees, variable to 310 degrees, at 8 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. The pilot's total time was 537 hours with 458 hours as pilot-in-command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2528S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2528S), registered now, S/N 18-7909153, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7909153 - Airframe hours: 859 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin M. Scola - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1995, 17 hours before - Departed: 3B2 - Airport: 3B2, Marshfield, runway 24, 2,999 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 537 total, 537 in this make and model, 458 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F - Observed at: 3B2 ## 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 19960511046779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960511046779A), May 11, 1996: Piper PA18150, Marshfield, MA, Substantial damage. (-16) Mr. Kevin m. scola, owner and pilot of N2528S, was on a local pleasure flight at his home base airport, Marshfield, MA. Mr. Scola noticed that a front… 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.