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NTSB Report

August 18, 1997 · Piper PA-18-150 · N57528

Chandler, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chandler, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N57528
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA294

The private pilot and the CFI were practicing touch-and-go landings. The CFI stated that the student had been using too much rudder in correcting previous landings. As they touched down the airplane began to veer to the left. The CFI told the student to straighten it out and the student added too much right rudder to correct the problem. The CFI said he added left rudder and brake to try and correct the problem, but it was too late and the airplane had already begun the inadvertent ground loop/swerve. The airplane departed the runway and subsequently struck a runway sign.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student's failure to maintain directional control due to excessive use of the rudder, and the instructor's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

On August 18, 1997, at 1620 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N57528, slid off the runway and collided with an airport sign following a ground loop after touchdown at Chandler, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor and the private pilot, who was being checked out in this aircraft, were not injured. The flight originated in Chandler at 1535, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In his statement, the flight instructor reported "On the landing in question we were doing a wheel landing and (the second pilot) was using a little too much rudder in correcting on previous landings. As we touched down the aircraft started veering to the left and I told the student to straighten it out. He then added too much right rudder to correct and by the time that I could get the left rudder and a little left brake in to try and correct it, it was too late the aircraft was already starting the loop." He then stated that the airplane proceeded to ground loop to the right off the runway. The airplane entered the dirt about 90 degrees to the runway where subsequently, the left side of the fuselage struck a runway sign. The second pilot, a certificated private pilot had successfully completed his check ride for his certificate on July 31, 1997. He had 14.4 hours total time in the accident aircraft, 4.2 of which were flown solo. According to the copies of the second pilot's logbooks provided as an attachment to the Pilot/Operator report, the second pilot had a total of 77 landings in the accident airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 MST
Nearest AirportChandler Municipal (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length4395 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN57528
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 28 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data