Piper PA 18-135
Longmont, CO — January 3, 2019
Event Information
| Date | January 3, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA117 |
| Event ID | 20190103X62753 |
| Location | Longmont, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.16417, -105.16361 |
| Airport | VANCE BRAND |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA 18-135 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, during his first flight as pilot-in-command of the tundra tire, tailwheel-equipped airplane, while on the 4th three-point landing to the concrete runway, after the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered left. He corrected with right rudder and attempted to return to the runway centerline, then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to veer right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The owner of the airplane, who was seated in the rear seat, reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.