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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 20, 1998 · Piper PA-18-150 · N335PA

Billings, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Billings, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N335PA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA004

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane began to fishtail. He stated that he tried to stop the fishtail effect with rudder control, however, the condition worsened. He then applied the brakes and the airplane ground-looped to the left. The right wing contacted the surface before the airplane came to rest off the side of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

Directional control was not maintained. Inadequate remedial action was a factor.

Full Narrative

On October 20, 1998, at 1415 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N335PA, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground-looped during the landing roll at the Billings Logan International Airport, Billings, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured. The flight had departed from Absarokee, Montana, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane began to fishtail. The pilot stated that he tried to stop the fishtail effect with rudder control, however, the condition worsened. The pilot then applied the brakes and the airplane ground-looped to the left. The right wing contacted the surface before the airplane came to rest off the side of the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 MDT
Nearest AirportBillings Logan Intl (0nm)
Runway28L
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN335PA
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 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data