# NTSB WPR15CA114: Piper PA 18-150, N4155U, Camarillo, CA, February 22, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 22, 2015, 11:25 local (19:25 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.21389, -119.090835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2139&lon=-119.0908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90777/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90777 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA114 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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: [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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the second landing the pilot failed to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently departed the side of the runway, and ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left lift strut. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the second landing the pilot failed to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently departed the side of the runway, and ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left lift strut. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: N4155U (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-150 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1809068 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 722.7 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2014, 41 hours before - Departed: KCMA, Camarillo, CA - Destination: KIZA, Santa Ynez, CA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,013 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 935 total, 122 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 22, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 74 total, 2 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KCMA ## 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 20150222002109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150222002109A), Feb 22, 2015: Piper PA-18-150, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. While on short final to cma runway 26, the pilot was giving instruction. Pilot was landing in a left to right crosswind with the controls positioned into the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90777. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 914 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane (Photo Courtesy of Airport Personnel) (item 2, .PDF, 828 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Personnel)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Airplane (Photo Courtesy of Airport Personnel) (item 3, .PDF, 702 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Personnel)-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.