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January 2, 2012 · Piper PA-18-135 · N9952Q

Del Norte, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 2, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Del Norte, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-135
Tail Number
N9952Q
Operator
Jimmy K Adelman
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12CA132

The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate, was receiving dual instruction from a certified flight instructor (CFI) to become familiar with his newly acquired tailwheel-equipped airplane. After practicing some standard flight maneuvers at altitude, the pilot returned to the departure airport to practice full stop landings and takeoffs. The CFI demonstrated the first landing, and then the pilot performed the next four landings and takeoffs with the CFI monitoring the controls and providing assistance when necessary. The CFI stated that the pilot's first landing was normal, the second landing required minor directional control assistance, the third landing required no assistance, and the fourth landing required some assistance from the base leg to final approach but the landing and roll were normal. On the fifth landing, the pilot made a nice three-point touchdown and rolled straight ahead. During the landing roll, the airplane suddenly swerved to the right and the CFI noticed that the pilot had already applied full left corrective rudder. The CFI then applied the left brake, but the application was ineffective. He then applied right brake to slow the airplane's pending departure off the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest in a snow bank that was bordering the runway. The top of the rudder sustained substantial damage. The airplane was equipped with a supplemental type certificate non-standard brake system. The CFI stated that, when he had ferried the airplane, he noted that the brake system was extremely sensitive. The CFI stated that he told the pilot early in his instruction that the use of the brakes should be avoided in normal operations due to their sensitivity. The CFI stated that he believes that the sensitivity of the brake system was a causal factor in the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident were the sensitivity of the brake system and the certified flight instructor pilot's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate, was receiving dual instruction from a certified flight instructor (CFI) to become familiar with his newly acquired tail wheel equipped airplane. After practicing some standard flight maneuvers at altitude, the pilot returned to the departure airport to practice full stop landings and takeoffs. The CFI demonstrated the first landing, and then the pilot performed the next four landings and takeoffs with the CFI monitoring the controls and providing assistance when necessary. The CFI stated that the pilot's first landing was normal, the second landing required minor directional control assistance, the third required no assistance, and the fourth required some assistance from base leg to final but the landing and roll out were normal. On the fifth landing, the pilot made a nice three point touchdown and rolled straight ahead. During the roll out, the airplane suddenly swerved to the right and the CFI immediately saw that the pilot had already had full left corrective rudder applied. The CFI then applied corrective left brake to try and correct the swerve, but the application seemed ineffective. He then applied right brake to try and slow the airplane's pending departure off of the runway. The aircraft then pitched over on its nose, then over onto its back, coming to rest in a snow bank that was bordering the runway. The top of the rudder sustained substantial damage. The airplane was equipped with a STC non-standard brake system. The CFI stated that when he had ferried the airplane, he noted that the brake system had extreme sensitivity. The CFI stated that he told the pilot early in his instruction that the use of the brakes should be avoided in normal operations due to their sensitivity. The CFI stated that he believes that the sensitivity of the brake system was a causal factor in the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 MST
Nearest AirportDel Norte Kent Rominger Field (1nm)
Runway24
Runway Length6050 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-135
Tail NumberN9952Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJimmy K Adelman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 46 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data