# NTSB WPR14CA378: Piper PA 18A 150, N7860D, Walla Walla, WA, August 25, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2014, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Walla Walla, WA - Coordinates: 46.094722, -118.288887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0947&lon=-118.2889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90084/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90084 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA378 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged approach which resulted in overshooting the landing point and insufficient remaining landing surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he overflew an open field that he intended to conduct an off airport landing on. He stated that the field was of sufficient length and had a suitable landing surface. During the landing, the tailwheel equipped airplane touched down longer than the pilot had intended and he intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid traveling down a ravine. During the accident sequence, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he overflew an open field that he intended to conduct an off airport landing on. He stated that the field was of sufficient length and had a suitable landing surface. During the landing, the tailwheel equipped airplane touched down longer than the pilot had intended and he intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid traveling down a ravine. During the accident sequence, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7860D (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18A 150 (A150) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6009 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 3793 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Walla Walla University - Registered owner: Walla Walla University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2014 - Departed: S95, COLLEGE PLACE, WA - Destination: ALW, WALLA WALLA, WA - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2012; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 882.2 total, 7.5 in this make and model, 783.2 as pilot in command, 146.6 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: ALW, 6 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 20140825015989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140825015989A), Aug 25, 2014: Piper PA-18A 150, Walla Walla, WA, Substantial damage. For CFI currency, the pilot was practicing off-field landings. After landing, the aircraft went over a rise and the pilot saw a fence and ditch in front of… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90084. 941 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 941 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-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.