Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-18-150, N4500W, accident occurred October 27, 2018 at Centennial Airport (KAPA), Arapahoe County, Colorado

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

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


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


https://registry.faa.gov/N4500W

Location: Denver, CO
Accident Number: GAA19CA045
Date & Time: 10/27/2018, 1200 MDT
Registration: N4500W
Aircraft: Piper PA18
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries:2 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The pilot under instruction was in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26-inch bush wheels and reported that he observed indications of a head wind during the approach to the asphalt runway. He asserted that when the airplane touched down on the mains, he noticed that the windsock had shifted indicating a direct left crosswind. Just before the tailwheel touched down, the left wing lifted, and he slowly added power to abort the landing. However, the airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the elevator.

The automated surface observing system at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 25 knots and gusting to 30 knots.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age:27, Male 
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/21/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/24/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 390 hours (Total, all aircraft), 25 hours (Total, this make and model), 290 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 28, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/04/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/28/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1527.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2.2 hours (Total, this make and model), 1492.1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N4500W 
Model/Series: PA18 150
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18-8009019
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/15/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3725.61 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-B2B
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:160 hp 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAPA, 5883 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1900 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 90°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 25 knots / 30 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Terrain-Induced /
Wind Direction: 280°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 0°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Denver, CO (APA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Denver, CO (APA)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1000 MDT
Type of Airspace:Class D 

Airport Information

Airport: Centennial (APA)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5885 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 28
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4800 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.570000, -104.849444 (est)

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