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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 15, 1995 · Piper PA-18-150 · N2357Z

Brackettville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Brackettville, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N2357Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95TA390

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, with a left front quartering crosswind, the nose of the aircraft turned to the left. Corrective action was taken without results. He then applied full power in an attempt to 'straighten the aircraft with the runway and takeoff to avoid other problems.' As full power was applied, the nose of the aircraft swung to the 'far right and would not respond back to the left.' The aircraft departed the right side of the runway, struck a fence, and came to rest on the edge of Highway 131, resulting in structural damage to the airframe adjacent to the main landing gear attaching points. According to the operator, the pilot was landing on a heading of 195 degrees to a private airstrip. The owner of the airstrip reported the winds at the time of the accident were variable from the east at 10 mph gusting to 20 mph, with the wind sock turning more than 30 degrees during these gusts.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE VARIABLE CROSSWIND.

Full Narrative

On August 15, 1995, at 1045 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18- 150, N2357Z, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during a crosswind landing at Spofford Airstrip (55XS), near Brackettville, Texas. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The U.S. Border Patrol airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Del Rio, Texas, at 0900 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported in a written statement, that during the landing roll, with a left front quartering crosswind, the nose of the aircraft turned to the left. Corrective action was taken without results. He further reported that he applied full power in an attempt to "straighten the aircraft with the runway and takeoff to avoid other problems." As full power was applied, the nose of the aircraft swung to the "far right and would not respond back to the left." According to the operator, the pilot was landing on a heading of 195 degrees. The aircraft departed the right side of the runway, struck a fence, and came to rest on the edge of Highway 131, resulting in structural damage to the airframe adjacent to the main landing gear attaching points. The Spofford Airstrip is also called Malone Airstrip. See the enclosed airport diagram. The owner of the airstrip reported the winds at the time of the accident were variable from the east at 10 MPH gusting to 20 MPH, with the wind sock turning more than 30 degrees during these gusts.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 CDT
Nearest AirportSpofford Private (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN2357Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 10 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data