Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18-180 near Colorado Springs, CO — 2016-08-25

Final reportCEN16LA348
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Date
2016-08-25
Location
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Airport
AFF
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18-180
Registration
N66898
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering a wind gust during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had completed a local glider tow operation and was landing at an airfield at the base of the mountains. He indicated that, after touchdown and the landing roll, a "large gust of wind" came from the right side of the airplane and lifted the right wing. The pilot stated that, to regain directional control, he applied rudder, lowered the tailwheel, and applied pressure to both wheel brakes. He indicated that the left brake grabbed "more efficiently" than the right brake, which caused the airplane to exit the runway and ground loop. The right wing contacted the ground. A postaccident examination of the tailwheel revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the weather information for the airfield shortly before the accident did not note wind gusts, given the pilot's statement and the surrounding mountainous terrain, it is likely that the pilot lost directional control after encountering a wind gust during the landing roll.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land with more caution given prior tailwheel steering issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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