N454Q

On April 1, 1996, at 1030 eastern standard time (est), a Piper, PA-18A, N454Q, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when during landing, the airplane impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The instructor pilot and dual student reported no injuries. The flight originated at Grand Haven, Michigan, at 1025 est.

The pilot stated that after touchdown from a left wing low landing, the student pilot, flying the airplane from the front seat, relaxed the controls, so as to dissipate enough speed to allow the tailwheel to touch down on the runway. The dual student said the airplane weathervaned and veered left. The instructor pilot, in the rear seat, took control of the airplane, added full power, and pulled back on the stick in an attempt to avoid a runway light. The airplane cleared the light at a slow airspeed. The airplane's right wing immediately dipped and struck the terrain. The airplane looped around and came to a stop near the runway.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage found the airplane resting upright. The right wing frame was bent and the fabric was torn at the tip. The rear right wing spar was bent aft. The left wing tip showed scraping damage to the fabric and frame. The left main gear was bent outward and the left wheel was bent. The fuselage frame exhibited minor bending and fabric wrinkling throughout. The frame tubing over the cockpit had bent inward and the plexiglass overhead window was cracked. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found in the engine, engine controls or other airplane systems.