# NTSB WPR10TA335: Piper PA-18-150, N6110A, Dillon, MT, July 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: July 5, 2010, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Dillon, MT - Coordinates: 45.255279, -112.552497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2553&lon=-112.5525&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 October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Helena FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10TA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76552/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76552 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10TA335 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## 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); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during approach for runway 22 he observed the winds to be a quartering headwind from the right. After a normal approach the airplane touched down on the main landing gear. As the tail wheel was about to touch down the airplane veered to the right. The pilot used left rudder and brake to compensate for the turn, but the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Through the use of left rudder and brake the pilot was able to stop the right turn, but then the airplane turned to the left and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and right elevator. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 2010, about 1300 Mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N6110A, was substantially damaged during a ground loop during landing at Dillon Airport, Dillon, Montana. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the State of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as a public use flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and it is unknown if a flight plan was filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he entered a normal traffic pattern for runway 22 and observed the winds to be a right quartering headwind. After a normal approach, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear. As the tail wheel was about to touch down the airplane veered to the right. The pilot used left rudder and brake to compensate for the turn, but the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Through the use of left rudder and brake the pilot was able to stop the right turn, but then the airplane turned to the left and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and right elevator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6110A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6110A), registered now, S/N 18-8009050, 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: 18-8009050 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - state, Public use - Operator: State of Montana - Registered owner: State of Montana - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: DLN, Dillon, MT - Destination: DLN, Dillon, MT - Airport: KDLN, Dillon, runway 22, 3,599 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 11,600 total, 850 in this make and model, 11,400 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KDLN ## 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 20100705036149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100705036149A), Jul 5, 2010: Piper PA-18-150, Dillon, MT, Substantial damage. On July 5, 2010, at 1300 MST, a Piper PA-18-150, registered to the state of Montana department of fish wildlife and parks (mfwp), ground looped on landing at… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76552. 620 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332901&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.