# NTSB WPR11CA247: Sieber Paul P Nieuport 11, N118PS, Bellingham, WA, June 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2011, 12:13 local (19:13 UTC) - Place: Bellingham, WA - Coordinates: 48.792778, -122.537498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7928&lon=-122.5375&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79296 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79296/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79296 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA247 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sieber Paul P NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05612IG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sieber Paul P NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05612IG), [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: [Sieber Paul P NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05612IG), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Sieber Paul P NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05612IG), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that his traffic pattern approach and touchdown on the runway were normal. The pilot stated that he lost directional control during landing rollout in his conventional gear airplane as he was transitioning from rudder effectiveness to tailwheel steering. Thereafter, the airplane ground looped and nosed over bending the rudder and firewall. The pilot also reported that no mechanical problems were experienced with his airplane during the mishap. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that his traffic pattern approach and touchdown on the runway were normal. The pilot stated that he lost directional control during landing rollout in his conventional gear airplane as he was transitioning from rudder effectiveness to tailwheel steering. Thereafter, the airplane ground looped and nosed over, bending the rudder and firewall. The pilot also reported that no mechanical problems were experienced with his airplane during the mishap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N118PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N118PS-2016-12-21), registration cancelled 2016-12-21, S/N 009, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIEBER PAUL P NIEUPORT 11 - Registry model: [Sieber Paul P NIEUPORT 11](https://openairdocs.org/model/sieber-paul-p-nieuport-11) (registry code 05612IG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 009 - Airframe hours: 148 - Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1835 cc 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 2, 2011, 5 hours before - Departed: WN35, Ferndale, WA - Destination: BLI, Bellingham, WA - Airport: BLI, Bellingham International, runway 16, 6,701 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; foreign, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 21,000 total, 161 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: BLI ## 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 20110604009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110604009349A), Jun 4, 2011: Sieber Paul P NIEUPORT 11, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed and tail stayed up. Slight cross wind caught tail and caused the aircraft to ground loop. Right main gear bent, which allowed the aircraft to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79296. 278 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350086&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.