# NTSB SEA99LA004: Piper PA-18-150, N335PA, Billings, MT, October 20, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1998, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.87017, -108.470085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8702&lon=-108.4701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45162/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA004

## Probable cause

Directional control was not maintained.  Inadequate remedial action was a 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane began to fishtail.  He stated that he tried to stop the fishtail effect with rudder control, however, the condition worsened.  He then applied the brakes and the airplane ground-looped to the left.  The right wing contacted the surface before the airplane came to rest off the side of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On October 20, 1998, at 1415 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N335PA, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground-looped during the landing roll at the Billings Logan International Airport, Billings, Montana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured.  The flight had departed from Absarokee, Montana, about 30 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane began to fishtail.  The pilot stated that he tried to stop the fishtail effect with rudder control, however, the condition worsened.  The pilot then applied the brakes and the airplane ground-looped to the left.  The right wing contacted the surface before the airplane came to rest off the side of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N335PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N335PA), registered now, S/N 18-7909158, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150
- 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: 18-7909158
- Airframe hours: 1560
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Redman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1998, 60 hours before
- Departed: ABSAROKEE, MT
- Airport: BIL, Billings Logan Intl, runway 28L, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,087 total, 68 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL

## 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 19981020034749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981020034749A), Oct 20, 1998: Piper PA18150, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilotyindicated he had landed and was rolling out (almost s topped) when aircraft began wandering. Pilot tried to correct with rudder, and to no avail,…

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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