Piper PA18
Monroe, NC — June 22, 2020
Event Information
| Date | June 22, 2020 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA20CA223 |
| Event ID | 20200622X41554 |
| Location | Monroe, NC |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.99889, -80.64417 |
| Airport | Charlotte-Monroe Executive |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA18 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate assessment of the landing area, which resulted in the airplane's encounter with tall weeds during landing and a subsequent nose-over.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he was returning to his farm and performed both high and low "reconnaissance flights" over the farm field before landing. He stated the landing was normal until the airplane struck some taller weeds in the field and nosed over, substantially damaging the tail. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that he had not expected the weeds to be so high and that cutting all vegetation in the landing area might have prevented the accident.
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.