# NTSB WPR20CA105: Piper PA 18, N1890A, Santa Barbara, CA, February 29, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 29, 2020, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Barbara, CA - Coordinates: 34.574722, -119.608612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5747&lon=-119.6086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101056/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101056 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, which resulted in a rapid descent rate, hard landing, and nose-over. ## 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-18, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing approach to a ridgeline airstrip, he deployed full flaps and descended to the touchdown point. About 15 ft above ground level, the airplane started to descend, which he failed to recognize and arrest. The pilot added that the approach speed was also a little too slow for the unstable air, which likely increased the descent rate. Subsequently, the airplane touched down hard short of the touchdown point, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The left wing and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing approach to a ridgeline airstrip, he deployed full wing flaps and descended to the touchdown point. About 15 ft above ground level, the airplane encountered a sink that he failed to recognize and arrest. The pilot further remarked that the approach speed was also a little too slow for the unstable air which likely increased the rate of descent. The airplane touched down hard, short of the touchdown point, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The left wing and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1890A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1890A), registered now, S/N 18-1723, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 18 (125) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1723 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 5267 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 2020, 8 hours before - Departed: IZA, Santa Ynez, CA - Destination: IZA, Santa Ynez, CA - Airport: N/A, Private - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,400 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °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 20200229003769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200229003769A), Feb 29, 2020: Piper PA-18, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. On February 29, 2020, N1890A s/n 18-1723 a Piper PA-18 super cub was on a flight from Santa ynez airport, in California to ogilvy ranch in Santa Barbara,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101056. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Accident Photograph (item 3, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photograph-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.