Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Loss of Control on Ground: Piper U-7A (L-21B) Super Cub, N753AT; accident occurred June 21, 2019 in Imnaha, Wallowa County, Oregon






Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Imnaha, Oregon 
Accident Number: GAA19CA369
Date & Time: June 21, 2019, 15:00 Local
Registration: N753AT
Aircraft: Piper L21 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft field, the airplane veered left then began to bounce as it went over soft and rough ground. He tried to steer the airplane back toward the runway and abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued to bounce sideways, which resulted in a ground-loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off from a soft, rough field, which resulted in a ground-loop.

Findings

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Rough terrain - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Soft surface - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Takeoff Abnormal runway contact

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 58, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land; Multi-engine sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 3, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 20, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5694 hours (Total, all aircraft), 80 hours (Total, this make and model), 5694 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 91 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 49 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 
Registration: N753AT
Model/Series: L21 B 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1954 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 18-3377
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 26, 2019 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 487.4 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-C2A
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGIC,3314 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 27 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 20:55 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 51°
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Visibility: 2 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration: 
No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lucile, ID (1DA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Imnaha, OR (OR9)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 14:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Lord Flat OR9
Runway Surface Type: Dirt; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 5594 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Rough; Soft; Vegetation
Runway Used: 01
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1728 ft / 15 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.666389,-116.618331(est)

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