# NTSB SEA96LA189: Piper PA-18, N8109Y, Ephrata, WA, August 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 1996, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Ephrata, WA - Coordinates: 47.270473, -119.589904 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2705&lon=-119.5899&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 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42443/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA189 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain proper alignment with the landing area (driveway) during the landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the selection of an unsuitable area for landing, the reported turbulence during landing, and an encounter with a rock beside the landing area, while using heavy braking action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was landing off-airport to pick up some parts at a parts house. The landing was made on a driveway, which was 500 feet long and 20 feet wide. During the landing, the aircraft 'snagged a rock' and nosed over, causing substantial damage. The pilot stated that turbulence moved the aircraft to the left side of the driveway, where it impacted the rock. Also, he said that heavy braking and impacting the rock caused the aircraft to go over on its back. The pilot noted that the accident could have been avoided 'by not landing here.' ## Factual narrative On August 13, 1996, approximately 1040 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N8109Y, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over after impacting an object during the landing roll in a driveway near Ephrata, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which had originated at Ephrata , Washington, airport at 1020. The pilot stated that he was landing off-airport to pick up some parts at a parts house. During the landing roll on the driveway, which had a 500 by 20 foot landing area, the aircraft "snagged a rock" and nosed over, causing substantial damage. The pilot stated that turbulence moved the aircraft to the left side of the driveway, where a rock was impacted. He said that heavy braking and impacting the rock caused the aircraft to go over on its back. The pilot noted in his accident report that the accident could have been avoided "by not landing here." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8109Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8109Y), registered now, S/N 18-8591 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8591 - Airframe hours: 2410 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Butterfield - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1996, 14 hours before - Departed: SFF, SPOKANE, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19960813022569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960813022569A), Aug 13, 1996: Piper PA18150, Ephrata, WA, Substantial damage. Landing on driveway. Heavy braking and gear hit a rock. Caused nose over. ## Other investigations on N8109Y (3) 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 SEA75FTA14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75FTA14), Dec 4, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N8109Y), Hardin, MT, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA71DDA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DDA11), Dec 4, 1970: Piper PA-18 (N8109Y), Garryowen, MT, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN69D0081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0081), Aug 27, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N8109Y), Buffalo, WY, 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.