Summary
On August 21, 2015, a Piper PA 18-150 (N18LP) was involved in an incident near Labelle, FL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over and impact with terrain.
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he touched down in the grass adjacent to the paved runway. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a low spot in the runway with about 3 to 4 inches of standing water. The wheels dug into the terrain and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and left wing strut.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that he should make it standard practice to make an inspection pass of the runway whenever he is landing on turf to determine the condition of the runway.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA254. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N18LP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over and impact with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he touched down in the grass adjacent to the paved runway. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a low spot in the runway with about 3 to 4 inches of standing water. The wheels dug into the terrain and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and left wing strut.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that he should make it standard practice to make an inspection pass of the runway whenever he is landing on turf to determine the condition of the runway.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA254