# NTSB WPR11LA436: Tubbs S/Performance PA-18 225DD, N727WW, Mile Hi Landing Strip, ID, August 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2011, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Mile Hi Landing Strip, ID - Coordinates: 45.15139, -114.992225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1514&lon=-114.9922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA436 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81721/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81721 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA436 ## Probable cause The collapse of the left landing gear during landing for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA 18-225 DD, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05617PY), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA 18-225 DD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05617PY), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The left landing gear collapsed during landing on a remote grass/turf airstrip. After the landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered to the left and impacted a tree. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane during the flight. The reason for the landing gear collapse was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2011, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Tubbs S/Performance Air PA-18 225DD, N727WW, landing gear collapsed during landing at Mile Hi Landing Strip, Idaho. The private pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Big Creek, Idaho, at 1000. The pilot stated that the left-hand landing gear collapsed during landing on runway 19 at Mile Hi Landing Strip. After the landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered to the left and impacted a tree. The landing strip was an unimproved grass/turf strip located in a remote area. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N727WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N727WW-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N PA0204, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tubbs S/Performance PA-18 225DD - Registry model: [Tubbs S/Performance Air PA 18-225 DD](https://openairdocs.org/model/tubbs-s-performance-air-pa-18-225-dd) (registry code 05617PY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: PA-0204 - Airframe hours: 675 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Gregory - Registered owner: Puddlejumpers LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 6, 2011 - Departed: KU60, Yellow Pine, ID - Destination: Mile High Ranch, ID - Airport: Mile Hi, runway 19, 1,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 4, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 6,170 total, 2,170 in this make and model, 6,170 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20110825024749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110825024749A), Aug 25, 2011: Tubbs S/Performance Air Inc PA 18-225 DD, Substantial damage. Private pilot landed on us forest service emergency use only Airstrip, for "highly experienced mountain pilots only." The first 540 feet is not usable. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N727WW (1) 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 WPR19LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA120), Apr 23, 2019: Piper PA 18 225 DD (N727WW), McCall, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81721. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Right side view of airplane (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane-Master.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.