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NTSB Report

August 14, 2000 · Piper PA-18-105 · N189T

Lynchburg, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-105
Tail Number
N189T
Operator
Lawrence C Spath
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD00LA075

During landing roll out on Runway 3, a 5,799-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway, the airplane began to turn to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn with full left rudder, but the airplane did not respond. The pilot then attempted to take-off and applied full throttle, which tightened the right turn. The pilot then reduced power, ground-looped, and exited the runway. During the ground-loop, the left wing tip contacted the ground and bent the rear wing spar. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main wheel axle was bent inward and there was no evidence of corrosion or rust. There was no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. The winds at the airport were reported from 310 degrees at 4 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

Pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll-out.

Full Narrative

On August 14, 2000, at 1708 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-18-105, N189T, was substantially damaged during landing roll-out at Lynchburg Airport, Lynchburg, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said: "Was doing touch and go's at Lynchburg Regional Airport (KLYH), was clear VFR day, around 5 pm local time. Was landing on Runway 3. Winds were 360 degrees about 3MPH. Had made 5 previous landings, all normal. On sixth one, I touched down lightly just past the threshold stripes and dead on centerline in wheel landing configuration for a least 100 yards and slowed to about 30 MPH when plane started turning to the right. I applied full left rudder with no results. I still had plenty of asphalt ahead, so I decided to apply full throttle to straighten and fly it off, but throttle only tightened the turn right. So I pulled power and rode out ground loop. Was slow and gentle. Wing touched and plane pivoted on wing and went off runway backwards. Stopping on soft edge berm." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed and on-scene examination on August 15, 2000. In a written statement, the inspector said: "Left main wheel axle bent to the right from apparent side load. Aircraft made uncommanded turn. Due to sharpness of turn, the left wing tip touched the ground. Left wing rear spar was bent up." The inspector also reported that the area surrounding the axle did not appear rusted or corroded. Runway 3 was a 5,799-foot long, 150-foot wide asphalt runway. The winds at LYH were reported from 310 degrees at 4 knots. The pilot reported 352 total flight hours, of which 98 hours were make and model.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:08 EDT
Nearest AirportLynchburg Regional (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length5799 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-105
Tail NumberN189T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLawrence C Spath
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0235-01 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 4 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data