# NTSB WPR10CA031: Piper J4, N24536, El Cajon, CA, October 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2009, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74951 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74951/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74951 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA031 ## Probable cause The left-seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor who occupied the left pilot seat was conducting a flight review for the private pilot who occupied the right pilot seat. The airplane was equipped with brakes that were operated from the left pilot seat position only. After the landing was completed by the right-seat pilot the airplane began to veer to the left during the landing roll. The left-seat pilot then attempted to correct back to the right by applying right brake, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector who examined the airplane reported no anomalies with the brakes that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The first pilot, a certified flight instructor who occupied the left pilot seat, was conducting a flight review for the second pilot, a private pilot who occupied the right pilot seat. The airplane was equipped with brakes that were operated from the left pilot seat position only. After the landing was completed by the right seat pilot the airplane began to veer to the left during the landing roll. The left seat pilot then attempted to correct back to the right by applying right brake, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector who examined the airplane reported no anomalies with the brakes, which would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24536](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24536), registered now, S/N 4-635, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J4 - Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4-635 - Engines: Teledyne-Continental Motors C85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: John J. McGee - Registered owner: John J. McGee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillispie Field, runway 27R, 5,342 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 944 total, 0 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 6, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 15,251 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SEE ## 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 20091024021699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091024021699A), Oct 24, 2009: Piper J4A, San Diego/El C, CA, Substantial damage. On October 24, 2009 at 1150 a.m. PDT, flight instructor alvin c. wood was on a familiarization and training flight with the aircraft owner [privacy data… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74951. 895 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 895 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321313&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.