# NTSB WPR12CA388: Piggott John H Bearhawk, N347JP, Sequim, WA, September 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2012, 13:01 local (20:01 UTC) - Place: Sequim, WA - Coordinates: 48.098056, -123.186943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0981&lon=-123.1869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA388 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84888/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84888 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA388 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056132I), [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: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056132I), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056132I), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056132I), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=056132I), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056132I), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056132I), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot, who was also the builder and owner of the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped high-wing airplane, took off from his home airport, made one landing there, and then took off again to conduct some cruise performance evaluations. He then conducted one landing and takeoff at a second airport, and then practiced several takeoffs and landings at a third airport. After that, he returned for landing on runway 27 at his home airport. The pilot reported that the approach was normal, but the air was “a bit bumpy.” The pilot said that during the flare, the airplane got a "little sideways," and the left wingtip contacted the runway. Despite the pilot's efforts to correct the situation, the airplane veered to the right and nosed over onto its back on the grass beside the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the propeller, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions of the airplane which would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot, who is also the builder and owner of the experimental amateur-built tailwheel-equipped high wing airplane, took off from his home airport, made one landing there, and then took off again to conduct some cruise performance evaluations. He then conducted one landing and takeoff at a second airport, and then practiced several takeoffs and landings at a third airport. After that, he returned for landing on runway 27 at his home airport. That runway measured 3,510 feet long by 40 feet wide. The pilot reported that the approach was normal, but the air was somewhat bumpy. The pilot said that in the flare, the airplane got a "little sideways," and the left wingtip contacted the runway. Despite the pilot's efforts to correct the situation, the airplane veered to the right, and nosed over onto its back on the grass beside the runway. The pilot was uninjured, but the airplane sustained damage to its propeller, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions of the airplane. The automated weather observation at an airport about 13 miles west of the accident airport included winds from 320 degrees at 7 knots, and an unofficial weather station in the same town as the accident airport reported similar values. The pilot reported a total flight experience of about 42 hours, including about 32 hours in the accident airplane make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N347JP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N347JP), registered now, S/N 347, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIGGOTT JOHN H BEARHAWK - Registry model: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/piggott-john-h-bearhawk) (registry code 056132I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 347 - Airframe hours: 78 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 17, 2011 - Departed: CLM, Port Angeles, WA - Destination: W28, Sequim, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: W28, Sequim Valley Airport, runway 27L, 3,510 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 32 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KCLM, 13 nm away ## 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 20120902021389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120902021389A), Sep 2, 2012: Piggott John H BEARHAWK, Sequim, WA, Minor damage. Pilot stated he had departed Sequim Valley Airport was practicing areil work and had performed several take-off and landings at the port angeles and jefferson… ## Other investigations on N347JP (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 WPR21LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA120), Feb 27, 2021: Piggott John H Bearhawk (N347JP), Eatonville, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. - [NTSB SEA06CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA157), Aug 5, 2006: Piggott Bearhawk (N347JP), Port Angeles, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of directional control as a result of the disconnected tail wheel steering system, which led to an inadvertent ground loop during the landing roll. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84888. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement-Master.PDF - Law Enforcement Report Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 360 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Law%20Enforcement%20Report%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 4, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Aft View of Airplane (FAA Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Aft%20View%20of%20Airplane%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Side View of Airplane (FAA Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Side%20View%20of%20Airplane%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Runway and Airplane (FAA Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Runway%20and%20Airplane%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Closeup of Crushed Rudder (FAA Photo) (item 8, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Closeup%20of%20Crushed%20Rudder%20(FAA%20Photo)-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.