# NTSB WPR14CA170: Piper PA 18S-150, N7884D, Browning, MT, April 13, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2014, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Browning, MT - Coordinates: 48.601112, -113.11528 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6011&lon=-113.1153&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89107/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89107 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA170 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in a veer off the airstrip and collision with a ditch. ## 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: [Piper PA-18S-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101832), [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: [Piper PA-18S-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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: [Piper PA-18S-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after the approximate one hour flight, she configured the airplane for a 3-point, short field landing. She was planning to land on the airstrip that slopes uphill towards the east, with shallow ditches on either side. After touchdown, the airplane rolled about 90 feet and began to veer to the left of the center. Despite her attempts to correct with right rudder, the airplane did not respond. The pilot added engine power in an effort to increase the airflow over the tail and the airplane immediately veered right to about a 70 degree angle across the narrow strip. She subsequently added full power in an effort to abort the landing since the airplane was nearing the down slope of the ditch. The right main gear hit the far side of the ditch and she retarded the throttle and brought the airplane to a stop. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred structural damage to the gearbox. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after the approximate one hour flight, she configured the airplane for a 3-point, short field landing. She was planning to land on the airstrip that slopes uphill towards the east, with shallow ditches on either side. After touchdown, the airplane rolled about 90 feet and began to veer to the left of the center. Despite her attempts to correct with right rudder, the airplane did not respond. The pilot added engine power in an effort to increase the airflow over the tail and the airplane immediately veered right to about a 70 degree angle across the narrow strip. She subsequently added full power in an effort to abort the landing since the airplane was nearing the down slope of the ditch. The right main gear hit the far side of the ditch and she retarded the throttle and brought the airplane to a stop. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred structural damage to the gearbox. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7884D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7884D), registered now, S/N 18-6044, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18S-150 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18S-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18s-150) (registry code 7101832) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6044 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 3870 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 2014 - Departed: 53U, Ferndale, MT - Destination: 8S0, Browning, MT - Airport: 8S0, Starr-Browning Airstrip, runway 06, 4,051 × 74 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 928 total, 516 in this make and model, 828 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20140413004699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140413004699A), Apr 13, 2014: Piper PA-18S-150, Browning, MT, Substantial damage. While landing on a private unimproved airfield the PIC experienced a hard landing and subsequently lost directional control of the aircraft during the landing… ## Other investigations on N7884D (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 CEN10CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA193), Apr 4, 2010: Piper PA-18-150 (N7884D), Brook Park, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in variable wind conditions. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89107. 225 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412756&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.