N8461D

Substantial
Minor

PIPER PA 18S/N: 18-6160

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, July 31, 2014
NTSB Number
CEN14CA404
Location
Traverse City, MI
Event ID
20140805X35734
Coordinates
44.741664, -85.581665
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, resulting in a runway excursion and the airplane nosing over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-6160
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1957
Model / ICAO
PA 18M600
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-18

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SILVER WINGS FLYING COMPANY LLC
Address
11902 WADDELL CREEK RD SW
City
OLYMPIA
State / Zip Code
WA 98512-8531
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that the tailwheel equipped airplane "pulled left" during landing and he was unable to correct in time to prevent a runway excursion. He noted that he should not have used the brakes when he realized that the airplane was going off the runway, which might have prevented the airplane from nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and right elevator. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions related to the airplane before the accident. He reported a left quartering headwind at 13 knots at the time of the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA404