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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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NTSB Report

April 12, 2012 · Piper PA-18A · N12003

West Palm Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
West Palm Beach, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A
Tail Number
N12003
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12CA278

**This brief was modified on November 1, 2013. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** The pilot stated that when he returned to the airport after a local flight, he elected to land on the turf runway, which intersected an asphalt runway. He said he touched down on the main landing gear "fairly long" on the first portion of the turf runway at a speed of about 60 mph. The pilot delayed lowering the tailwheel until the airplane was crossing the asphalt surface and then lowered the tailwheel firmly to the ground. The airplane began to veer left, and the pilot applied full right rudder and a "slight amount" of right brake to regain directional control. When the airplane transitioned from the asphalt surface to the turf runway, it abruptly nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted, incurring substantial damage to the rudder. An examination of the runway's asphalt to turf transition section revealed that the airplane's main landing gear tires dug into the turf as it left the slightly higher asphalt. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the landing and rollout. While the airplane was being repaired after the accident, a mechanic determined that the bolts holding the main wheel halves in position were excessively long, causing the wheel halves to separate and the brake discs to change position when the airplane transitioned from the asphalt to the turf runway. This condition likely caused the brake discs to jam in their housing and the wheels to stop rotating.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate assembly of the brakes, which caused them to lock during the landing roll when the airplane transitioned from asphalt to turf, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

Full Narrative

**This report was modified on November 1, 2013. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.**The pilot stated that upon returning to the airport from a local flight, he elected to land on the grass turf runway, which had an asphalt runway intersection within the first quarter of its length. His landing speed was about 60 mph, the airplane touched down long on the first portion of the grass turf. The pilot held off lowering the tail wheel initially but then lowered it firmly onto the ground. During the landing roll on the asphalt portion, the airplane began to arc to the left, the pilot applied full right rudder and then eased on a "slight amount" of right brake. As the airplane departed the asphalt section, it abruptly nosed over, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane came to rest inverted on the grass turf runway, incurring substantial damage to the vertical section and rudder. An inspection of the runway's asphalt to grass turf transition section revealed that the airplane's main landing gear tires dug into the turf as it left the slightly higher asphalt. An aviation safety inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident scene and interviewed the pilot, who reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the landing and rollout. While the airplane was being repaired after the accident, a mechanic determined that the bolts holding the main wheel halves in position were excessively long, causing the wheel halves to separate and the brake discs to change position when the airplane transitioned from the asphalt to the turf runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportNorth Palm Beach County (0nm)
Runway08L
Runway Length3679 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18A
Tail NumberN12003
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data