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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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April 19, 2020 · Piper PA 18 150 · N3670P

Bowie, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bowie, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA 18 150 (1955)
Tail Number
N3670P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA150

The pilot was taking off on a 310° heading for a personal flight; gusting wind was from 270°. The pilot stated that during the initial climb, he observed a normal ascent rate, so he retracted the flaps. He added that "it felt like a gust [of wind] picked our left wing up," and in response he pushed the control stick to the left twice, but the airplane did not respond. The airplane continued to bank right and descend as the pilot attempted to bring the wings level. As the airplane approached the ground, the pilot pulled the throttle control to idle, then the airplane struck a metal building frame on the northeast side of the field. Postaccident examination of the airplane and flight control systems did not reveal any mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that that pilot did not maintain control of the airplane in gusting wind conditions, resulting in an uncontrolled turn and descent into terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an uncontrolled turn and descent into terrain.

Full Narrative

On April 19, 2020, about 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, N3670P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bowie, Texas. The pilot and pilot-rated-passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he taxied the airplane to the south end of a friend's private field, completed an engine run-up, and "checked all systems," with no anomalies noted. The pilot reported that he began the ground roll on a 300° heading and extended the flaps around 40 mph indicated airspeed (IAS). The airplane lifted off with a normal ascent rate and he retracted the flaps about 50 mph IAS. The pilot reported that "it felt like a gust [of wind] picked our left wing up," so he pushed the control stick to the left, but the airplane did not respond. He moved the control stick back to a neutral position then again to the left, but the airplane still did not respond. The airplane continued to bank right and descend as the pilot attempted to bring the wings level. As the airplane approached the ground the pilot pulled the throttle control to idle, then the airplane struck a metal building frame on the northeast side of the field. The airplane came to rest upright and the two occupants egressed without injury. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the grass field and determined that the airplane's tire tracks were oriented on a 310° heading. Due to the disposition of the wreckage as the accident site, a complete examination was not possible, so the wreckage was relocated to a secure facility where a flight control system examination was completed. The inspector's examination revealed that all flight control cables were attached to their respective control surfaces except for one impact-related separation. The right aileron control cable was separated and exhibited damage, which was determined to be from the impact sequence. The inspector could not find any mechanical reason for the reported right bank.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Field (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length1200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 18 150
Tail NumberN3670P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 31 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.65 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data