Friday, August 26, 2016

Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N66898; accident occurred August 25, 2016 at USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF), Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


http://registry.faa.gov/N66898

Location: Colorado Springs, CO 
Accident Number: CEN16LA348
Date & Time: 08/25/2016, 1300 MDT
Registration: N66898
Aircraft: PIPER PA 18-180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Glider Tow 

On August 25, 2016, about 1300 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Piper PA-18-180 airplane, N66898, departed the left side of the runway on landing at United States Air Force Academy Airfield (AFF), Colorado Springs, Colorado. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Big Q Aviation Corporation and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a glider towing operation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he just completed a local glider towing operation and was landing on runway 16L. After a routine touchdown and roll out, there was a "large gust of wind" from the right side that lifted the right wing of the airplane. To "regain directional control," the pilot applied rudder, slowly lowered the tailwheel to the ground, and applied pressure to both wheel brakes. He stated that when he applied both wheel brakes, the left brake grabbed "more efficiently" than the right brake and the airplane turned to left and exited the runway. The airplane rotated counterclockwise and the right wheel dug into the soft dirt, and subsequently, the right wing contacted the ground.

The pilot stated that when he began his shift that day, he was advised there "were issues with the steering of the tailwheel." An inspection of the tailwheel by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector noted the tailwheel functioned properly.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/10/2015
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/16/2016
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 29000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 65 hours (Total, this make and model), 23000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 65 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N66898
Model/Series: PA 18-180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: 18-7509091
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360 SERIES
Registered Owner: Big Q Aviation
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Big Q Aviation
Operating Certificate(s) Held:None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: AFF
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1858 UTC
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Colorado Springs, CO (AFF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Colorado Springs, CO (AFF)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1230 MDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: USAF ACADEMY AFLD (AFF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 6572 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 16L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3534 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.973333, -104.820000 (est)

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