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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 1, 1999 · Piper PA-18-150 · N4785F

Boulder, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Boulder, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N4785F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN99LA111

The pilot departed the airport with a glider in tow. After the glider was released, she returned for landing. She made a 'smooth wheel landing with no bounces,' and the aircraft rolled 'straight and smoothly' on the two main wheels. She felt the tail of the airplane begin to rise, and she pulled back on the stick, but stated that she was unable to get a response from the elevator. The aircraft continued to roll forward until the spinner impacted the pavement. The airplane then nosed over onto its back. The wind was calm during landing. In a telephone interview with the pilot shortly after the accident, she stated that the aircraft's wheels touched down twice on the runway prior to the third actual touchdown. Following the accident, a functional test of the elevator control system was performed. The elevator operated effectively, and no abnormalities or discrepancies were observed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing roll.

Full Narrative

On July 1, 1999, approximately 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4785F, owned and operated by the Soaring Society of Boulder, was substantially damaged when the aircraft nosed over during landing roll at Boulder Municipal Airport, Boulder, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. The local glider tow flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, she departed the airport with a glider in tow. After the glider was released, she returned to the airport for landing. The pilot stated that the wind was calm during landing. She made a "smooth wheel landing with no bounces," and the aircraft rolled "straight and smoothly" on the two main wheels (in a telephone interview with the pilot shortly after the accident, she stated that the aircraft's wheels touched down twice on the runway prior to the third actual touchdown.) She felt the tail of the airplane begin to rise, and she pulled back on the stick. She stated that there was no response from the elevator, and the aircraft continued to roll forward slowly until the spinner impacted the pavement. The airplane then nosed over onto its back. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, firewall, vertical stabilizer, and both wing spars. At the NTSB's request, a functional test of the elevator control system was performed by a mechanic with Jensen Aircraft, Salida, Colorado. The elevator operated effectively, and no abnormalities or discrepancies were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 MDT
Nearest AirportBoulder Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway8
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN4785F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data