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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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August 20, 2000 · Piper PA-18A-150 · N6985D

North Plains, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
North Plains, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A-150
Tail Number
N6985D
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA00LA167

The pilot was executing a wheel landing in the PA-18A-150 following his return from a glider tow operation. Witnesses at the airport reported that the aircraft landed long on the westerly runway (approximately 1,200 feet beyond the threshold of the 2,200 foot long grass/turf strip), and was also fast. During the landing roll the aircraft nosed over. The pilot and an FAA inspector reported finding no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. The pilot reported a total of 2 hours of flight experience in the make/model aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's excessive use of brakes. Contributing factors were the pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed (landing long and fast) and lack of experience in the make/model of aircraft.

Full Narrative

On August 20, 2000, approximately 1320 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18A-150, N6985D, registered to Willamette Valley Soaring Club, Inc., and being flown by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a nose over on landing roll at the North Plains gliderport, North Plains, Oregon. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight, which was reported to be returning from a glider tow operation, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the gliderport approximately 1305. The pilot reported that he had been towing in a PA-25-260 aircraft and was asked to switch to the PA-18A-150. He stated that he pre-flighted N6985D and then "...did one warm-up pattern & [a] good wheel landing, then towed 1 tow/glider to 3,000' and returned to land to [the] west, r[igh]t traffic..." and that "...I did a wheel landing app[ro]x[imately] mid field and the a[ir]c[ra]ft flipped over on its back." The pilot reported a total of 2 hours of flight experience in the PA-18A-150 aircraft and had made numerous landings and takeoffs at the gliderport in the previous year. He also stated on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that he experienced no mechanical malfunction or failure with the aircraft. Witnesses at the airport reported that the aircraft landed long on the westerly runway (approximately 1,200 feet beyond the threshold of the 2,200 foot long grass/turf strip), and was also fast. An FAA inspector who interviewed the pilot after the accident reported that the pilot was making a wheel landing. The tailwheel was still airborne when the aircraft rapidly nosed over. The inspector reported finding no evidence of brake malfunction during his on-site inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 PDT
Nearest AirportNorth Plains Gliderport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18A-150
Tail NumberN6985D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data