N7884D

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-18-150S/N: 18-6044

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, April 4, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA193
Location
Brook Park, MN
Event ID
20100406X94150
Coordinates
45.949443, -93.074722
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in variable wind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-6044
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1954
Model / ICAO
PA-18-150PA18
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-18S-150

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
MARTIN JOHN D
Address
PO BOX 80251
City
BILLINGS
State / Zip Code
MT 59108-0251
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that after a normal touchdown the airplane drifted toward the right side of the runway. He attempted to correct for the right drift with a left rudder input, but the wind suddenly changed direction and airplane veered to the left. He applied full brakes to stop the airplane from leaving the runway, but in the process the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, both wings, and cabin structure were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. About 4 minutes before the accident, a local weather station reported that the prevailing wind was out of the southwest at 4 knots. About 16 minutes after the accident, the same weather station reported that the wind speed had increased to 8 knots, with 14 knot wind gusts.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA193