# NTSB WPR12LA289: Cox PA 18, N13VC, Soldier Bar, ID, June 23, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2012, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Soldier Bar, ID - Coordinates: 45.099723, -114.800834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0997&lon=-114.8008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84169/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84169 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA289 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and the airplane nosing over. ## 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: [Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05617C0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05617C0), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617C0), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05617C0), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05617C0), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the pilot experienced a loss of control and could not steer the airplane. The airplane veered to the left, continued off the runway surface into a pile of rocks, and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2012, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Cox PA 18 amateur built airplane, N13VC, veered off the runway and collided with a pile of rocks during takeoff from the Soldier Bar Airport, Soldier Bar, Idaho. The pilot, who additionally owned the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Big Creek, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that he was departing after his two friends, who were all on a cross-country flight together. During the takeoff roll, he experienced a loss of control and could not steer the airplane. The airplane veered to the left and continued off the runway surface subsequently colliding with a pile of rocks. The airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot further stated that he believed that he lost controllability due to the left brake dragging or a tailwheel malfunction. He noted that he had experienced prior problems with the tailwheel and had hired a mechanic to fix it about 2 months prior to the accident. The wreckage was taken to a recovery facility for further examination. Several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspectors examined the wheel and brake system following the recovery. They noted there was no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The FAA Airport/Facilities Directory (AFD) indicated that Soldier Bar Airport runway 07 was 1,650 feet long and 15 feet wide and that it was to be used for takeoffs. The runway surface was noted to be composed of dirt that was in fair condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13VC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13VC), registered now, S/N 0002, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COX PA 18 - Registry model: [Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18](https://openairdocs.org/model/cox-vernon-lewis-pa-18) (registry code 05617C0) (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: 0002 - Airframe hours: 1500 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 30, 2011, 150 hours before - Departed: 85U, Soldier Bar, ID - Destination: U60, Big Creek, ID - Airport: 85U, Soldier Bar Airport, runway 07, 1,650 × 15 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 12,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: SMN, 41 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 20120623012819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120623012819A), Jun 23, 2012: Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control on takeoff and struck a rock, causing loss of control and crash. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84169. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation: FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-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.