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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 11, 2017 · Piper PA18 135 · N1258C

Seward, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Seward, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA18 135 (1953)
Tail Number
N1258C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA275

The flight instructor reported that he was providing tailwheel instruction for the pilot, who was in the front seat of the tandem-seat airplane and did not possess a tailwheel endorsement. Following multiple landings earlier in the flight, the pilot was practicing a high-speed taxi in tailwind conditions. Upon reaching about 20 mph ground speed, "directional control began to be lost." Subsequently, the flight instructor applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left-wing lift strut sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the accident airport recorded that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 9 knots. The flight instructor reported they were taxiing north on runway 31.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's incorrect brake application during a high-speed taxi with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that he was providing tailwheel instruction for the pilot, who was in the front seat of the tandem seat airplane, and who did not possess a tailwheel endorsement. Following multiple landings earlier in the flight, the pilot was practicing a high-speed taxi in tailwind conditions. Upon reaching about 20 mph ground speed, "directional control began to be lost." Subsequently, the flight instructor applied brakes and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left-wing lift strut sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 170° at 9 knots. The flight instructor reported they were taxiing north on runway 31.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:55 AKDT
Nearest AirportSEWARD (0nm SSW)
Runway31
Runway Length4533 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA18 135
Tail NumberN1258C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 30 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data