# NTSB WPR14CA288: Piper PA 17, N4842H, Sand Point, ID, July 8, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 8, 2014, 12:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Sand Point, ID
- Coordinates: 48.299446, -116.559997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2994&lon=-116.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89634
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89634/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89634
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA288

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during taxi.

## 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: [Piper PA-17, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101702), [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-17, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101702), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101702), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-17, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101702), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported while taxiing a tailwheel equipped airplane from the runway, the airplane began to turn left. The pilot applied opposite rudder however, the turn sharpened and he "aggressively" applied the right brake which resulted in a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported while taxiing a tailwheel equipped airplane from the runway, the airplane began to turn left. The pilot applied opposite rudder however, the turn sharpened and he "aggressively" applied the right brake which resulted in a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4842H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4842H), registered now, S/N 17-139, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 17 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17-139
- Year built: 1948
- Airframe hours: 2664.86
- Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephan Diedrich
- Registered owner: Stephan Diedrich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2014
- Departed: SZT, Sand Point, ID
- Destination: SZT, Sand Point, ID
- Airport: SZT, Sandpoint, runway 19, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,021.2 total, 220.1 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 20140708009439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140708009439A), Jul 8, 2014: Piper PA-17, Sandpoint, ID, Substantial damage. During the landing rollout, the airplane began to veer to the left, so he applied right rudder to correct the turn. Not sensing that right rudder was stopping…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89634. 346 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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