# NTSB WPR11LA136: Piper PA18, N7153Z, Twin Falls, ID, February 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 2011, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Twin Falls, ID - Coordinates: 42.481945, -114.487777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4819&lon=-114.4878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78371 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78371/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78371 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA136 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to compensate for the wind, which resulted in the airplane being blown over after completion of the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: 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) ## Analysis The pilot was completing multiple check rides in various airplanes that were scheduled over a couple of days. He stated that the wind was too strong the first day to complete the check ride in the accident airplane. On the second day, the pilot and the check airman departed with the wind from 180 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 22 knots. After completing some air work, they returned for landing, and the wind had increased to 33 knots with gusts to 39 knots. The first landing attempt resulted in a go-around. The pilot successfully landed on the second attempt, and came to a full stop on the runway centerline. However, with the brakes set and the engine idling, the airplane was blown over by a quartering tail wind and came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 2011, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N7153Z, nosed over during landing at Twin Falls, Idaho. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The airline transport pilot and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airline transport pilot rated check airman sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The local check flight departed Twin Falls about 0800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was completing a Part 135.293(b) check ride, which was required yearly. Multiple check rides in various airplanes, including an oral and pilot record’s check, were scheduled over a 3-day period, but was eventually reduced to 2 days. The pilot stated that the winds were too strong the first day to complete the check ride in the accident airplane. On the second day, the pilot and check airman noted that the wind at the time of departure was from 180 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 22 knots on runway 25. After completing air work, they returned for landing. The pilot stated that during the flight, the wind had increased to 33 knots with gusts to 39 knots. The first landing attempt resulted in a go-around. The pilot successfully landed on the second attempt, and came to a full stop on the runway centerline. With the brakes set and the engine idling, the airplane was blown over by a quartering tail wind. The pilot stated that weather had caused delays on two previous occasions, and he lived in a different state than the check airman. He decided that he wanted to get the check rides done so that he could return home. His recommendation was that he should have cancelled the check ride again, and scheduled it another day. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7153Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7153Z), registered now, S/N 18-8266, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (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: 18-7266 - Airframe hours: 1850 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Mike Walker - Registered owner: Mike Walker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2010 - Departed: TWF, Twin Falls, ID - Destination: TWF, Twin Falls, ID - Airport: TWF, Twin Falls Joslin Field, runway 25, 8,703 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 43,000 total, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Check pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.45 inHg - Observed at: KTWF ## 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 20110216009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110216009669A), Feb 16, 2011: Piper PA-18-150, Twin Falls, ID, Substantial damage. On the 16th of February 2011, during a part 135.293(b) flight check for [privacy data omitted] cert# [privacy data omitted] and certificate holder of snowy… ## Other investigations on N7153Z (2) 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 GAA15CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA070), Apr 4, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N7153Z), Cornelia, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. - [NTSB SEA97LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA218), Sep 28, 1997: Piper PA-18-150 (N7153Z), Dixie, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: Shifting of a briefcase stored behind the pilot's seat to a position where it obstructed movement of the rudder pedals, resulting in loss of directional control capability. A factor was trees… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 29, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78371. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Notes (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Notes-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.