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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 9, 1996 · Piper PA-18-125 · N1334A

Westcliffe, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Westcliffe, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-125
Tail Number
N1334A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA038

The pilot said he entered a left downwind leg for runway 31. The windsock appeared 'limp, favoring down the runway from the northwest.' The airplane touched down on the runway centerline approximately 1,000 feet past the threshold and began drifting to the right. The pilot corrected with opposite rudder. The airplane drifted left and the left main wheel went off the runway edge. The pilot was attempting to return the airplane to the centerline, when the 'left main caught on pavement edge and the airplane came free, veering hard right.' The airplane then went off the right side of the runway about 1,200 to 1,500 feet past the threshold at a 40 degree angle. It went down an embankment into soft soil and nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing.

Full Narrative

On November 9, 1996, approximately 1125 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-125 (as per registration, upgraded to a PA-18-150), N1334A, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at Westcliffe, Colorado. The airline transport pilot and private pilot rated-passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Erie, Colorado, at 1000. According to his accident report, the pilot entered a left downwind leg for runway 31 (7,000 feet x 40 feet, asphalt). The windsock appeared "limp, favoring down the runway from the northwest." The pilot said the airplane touched down on the runway centerline approximately 1,000 feet past the threshold. The airplane began drifting slightly to the right and the pilot corrected with opposite rudder. The airplane then drifted to the left and the left main wheel went off the edge of the runway. The pilot attempted to return the airplane to the centerline when the "left main caught on pavement edge and the airplane came free, veering hard right." The airplane went off the right side of the runway about 1,300 to 1,500 feet past the threshold at a 40 degree angle. It went down an embankment into soft soil and nosed over. In his report, the pilot listed conditions which he felt contributed to the accident, to wit: "1. Runway surface is rough with irregular longitudinal grooves in the asphalt, which can catch a small tail wheel (airplane) and upset (its) direction. "2. Runway is approximately 4 inches thick asphalt with shoulder of soft, loose, expansive soil which causes a 4 inch high lip. "3. Terrain falls sharply away from runway on each side with soft, expansive soil. Loose soil caught main gear and gear dug in."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:25 MST
Nearest AirportSilver West (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-125
Tail NumberN1334A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data