# NTSB SEA90LA195: Piper PA18-150, N3189Z, Enumclaw, WA, September 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.099903, -121.599601 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0999&lon=-121.5996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41287/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA195

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN GUSTING WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON APPROACHING THE AIRPORT FOR LANDING, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE EAST AND IT WAS TURBULENT. THE PILOT CIRCLED THE RUNWAY TO DETERMINE WIND DIRECTION AND OBSERVED THAT THE TREES THAT LINE THE NORTH SIDE OF  HE RUNWAY WERE MOVING INDICATING THE WIND WAS BLOWING DOWN THE RUNWAY FROM THE EAST. THE PILOT PREPARED FOR LANDING AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, JUST AFTER PASSING THE LINE OF TREES, THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT CORRECTED AND THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL LEFT RUDDER AND BRAKE ACTION; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3189Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Puget Sound Soaring Assoc.
- Departed: S36, KENT, WA
- Airport: WN76, Bergseth Fld

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 833 total, 4 in this make and model, 831 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900922044149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922044149A), Sep 22, 1990: Piper PA18150, Enumclaw, WA, Substantial damage. Wind gust caused yaw into crosswind. Overcorrected and ground looped to right. Wheels struck hole. Wing hit ground.

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.

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