# NTSB SEA02LA094: Piper PA-18-135, N9967Q, Payette, ID, June 2, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 2002, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Payette, ID - Coordinates: 44.096942, -116.901664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0969&lon=-116.9017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54832 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54832/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54832 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions during landing resulting in a ground loop/swerve. Wind gusts were a contributing 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on final approach for landing, he encountered turbulence and a crosswind correction was applied to maintain runway centerline. The pilot stated that during the flare for a three point landing, he noted an increased descent rate beginning about six feet above ground level. The pilot applied power to arrest the descent rate, however, when the aircraft touched down it bounced. When the aircraft settled to the surface again, the right wing was lifted by a sudden gust of wind. The aircraft weathervaned to the right and the pilot added power in an attempt to regain rudder authority. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft ground looped. The right wing contacted the surface, substantially damaging the wing spar and several ribs. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. After the accident, the pilot noted intermittent gusts of wind from 10 to 12 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2002, approximately 0950 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135 airplane, N9967Q, registered to Taildragon LLC of Eagle, Idaho, and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing at Payette Municipal Airport, Payette, Idaho. The pilot and one passenger were not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the flight was on a round-robin visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan from Boise, Idaho, to Weiser, Idaho, to Payette, to Boise at the time of the accident. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported that on downwind for landing on runway 31, he noted that the wind sock was hanging limp. Turbulence was noted on the approach and a crosswind correction was applied to maintain runway centerline. The pilot reported that during the flare for a three point landing, he noted an increased descent rate beginning about six feet above ground level. The pilot applied power to arrest the descent rate, however, when the aircraft touched down it bounced. When the aircraft settled to the surface again, the right wing was lifted by a sudden gust of wind. The aircraft weathervaned to the right and the pilot added power in an attempt to regain rudder authority. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft ground looped. The right wing contacted the surface, substantially damaging the wing spar and several ribs. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. After the accident, the pilot noted that the wind was blowing from about 330 degrees at three to five knots, with intermittent gusts from 10 to 12 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9967Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9967Q), registered now, S/N 18-4012, built 1954 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4012 - Airframe hours: 5069 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Taildragon LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 2002, 5 hours before - Departed: S87, Weiser, ID - Destination: S75, Payette, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: S75, Payette Minicipal, runway 31, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 12, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 136 total, 22 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg ## 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 20020602013049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020602013049A), Jun 2, 2002: Piper PA18135, Payette, ID, No damage. (-23) On landing (calm wind) a gust of wind came up from the right causing the aircraft to weather cock to the right of center line into the wind. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N9967Q (2) 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 FTW97LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA017), Oct 12, 1996: Piper PA-18-135 (N9967Q), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his improper use of rudder. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane. - [NTSB DEN89LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA179), Jul 25, 1989: Piper PA-18-135 (N9967Q), Boulder, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE WING. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 23, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54832. 346 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442866&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.