Summary
On January 03, 2019, a Piper PA 18-135 (N89018) was involved in an incident near Longmont, CO. All 2 people 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 failure to maintain directional control during landing.
The pilot reported that, during his first flight as pilot-in-command of the tundra tire, tailwheel-equipped airplane, while on the 4th three-point landing to the concrete runway, after the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered left. He corrected with right rudder and attempted to return to the runway centerline, then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to veer right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The owner of the airplane, who was seated in the rear seat, reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA117. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N89018.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during his first flight as pilot-in-command of the tundra tire, tailwheel-equipped airplane, while on the 4th three-point landing to the concrete runway, after the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered left. He corrected with right rudder and attempted to return to the runway centerline, then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to veer right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The owner of the airplane, who was seated in the rear seat, reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA117