# NTSB WPR14CA212: Piper PA 18A, N7474D, Arlington, WA, May 18, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2014, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.160556, -122.165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1606&lon=-122.1650&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89287/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89287 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA212 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper application of brakes during taxi in tailwind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101804), [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: [Piper PA-18A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while taxing the tailwheel equipped airplane, the slight crosswind became a tail wind. Both he and his passenger may have both hit the brakes at the same time, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and substantially damaging the tail. There was no report of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that while taxing the tailwheel equipped airplane, the slight crosswind became a tail wind. Both he and his passenger may have both hit the brakes at the same time, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and substantially damaging the tail. There was no report of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7474D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7474D), registered now, S/N 18-5809 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18A (105SPECIAL) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5809 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 9246 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Evergreen Soaring Inc - Registered owner: Evergreen Soaring Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 2013 - Departed: KAWO, Arlington, WA - Destination: KAWO, Arlington, WA - Airport: KAWO, Arlington ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 882 total, 1 in this make and model, 755 as pilot in command, 4.9 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,263 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,072 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 0.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KAWO ## Other investigations on N7474D (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 SEA74DYE18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYE18), Sep 23, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N7474D), Arlington, WA, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA71DWD28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DWD28), Apr 3, 1971: Piper PA-18 (N7474D), Arlington, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89287. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of the tail damage (photo courtesy of Mr Garniss) (item 2, .PDF, 772 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413054&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20tail%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20Mr%20Garniss)%0D%0A-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.