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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 26, 2005 · Piper PA-18-150 · N4055Z

Cortez, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cortez, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N4055Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN06LA011

The pilot said that he was attempting to land in a pasture next to his home when he noticed a horse near the approach end. He elected to land long to avoid the horse but realized there was not enough pasture remaining. He attempted a go-around and added full power but could not arrest the sink rate. He decided to land the airplane in the remaining pasture. He landed with power in a nose high attitude at stall speed. The left wing struck the ground, causing the airplane to rotate 180 degrees to the left, and the right wingtip dragged along the ground. The pilot said he was not use to the extra weight of a full fuel load and carrying a rear seat passenger with a 5 knot tailwind. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 7,741 feet mean seal level (msl).

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, resulting in a ground loop. Contributing factors were the excessive descent rate, the obstacle (horse), the high density altitude, and the tailwind.

Full Narrative

On October 26, 2005, approximately 1545 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4055Z, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing near Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ), Cortez, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip, near CEZ, approximately 1430. According to a telephone interview with the pilot and the accident report he subsequently submitted, he was attempting to land at his home when he noticed a horse near the approach end of the runway. He elected to land long to avoid a horse but then realized insufficient runway remained. He attempted a go-around and added full power but could not arrest the sink rate. He decided to land the airplane on the runway remaining. He landed with power applied in a nose high attitude right at stall speed. The left wing struck the ground, causing the airplane to rotate 180 degrees to the left and dragging the right wingtip dragged along the ground. The pilot said he was unfamiliar with mountain flying conditions in Cortez, Colorado, (5,918 feet msl) as he had done most of his flying near sea level in Alaska. He said he had just filled the fuel tanks to capacity, and the extra weight of the fuel and the rear seat passenger made the airplane heavier than what he was accustom. He also said there was a 5 knot tailwind during the landing. Postaccident examination disclosed a broken left wing spar. The right wingtip was scratched. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 7,741 feet mean seal level (msl).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN4055Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 75 · Unknown · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data