Payette Minicipal Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Payette, Idaho 83661
Sunday, June 2, 2002 9:50 MDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that while on final approach for landing, he encountered turbulence and a crosswind correction was applied to maintain runway centerline. The pilot stated that during the flare for a three point landing, he noted an increased descent rate beginning about six feet above ground level. The pilot applied power to arrest the descent rate, however, when the aircraft touched down it bounced. When the aircraft settled to the surface again, the right wing was lifted by a sudden gust of wind. The aircraft weathervaned to the right and the pilot added power in an attempt to regain rudder authority. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft ground looped. The right wing contacted the surface, substantially damaging the wing spar and several ribs. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. After the accident, the pilot noted intermittent gusts of wind from 10 to 12 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions during landing resulting in a ground loop/swerve. Wind gusts were a contributing factor.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 6/2/2002
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 950
Event Time Zone Mountain Daylight Time
Event City Payette
Event State IDAHO
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 83661
Event Date Year 2002
Event Date Month 6
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 440549N
Event Location Longitude 1165406W
Event Location Airport Payette Minicipal
Event Location Nearest Airport ID S75
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 0
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 2228
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID --
Elevation of weather observation facility --
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation --
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 5000
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Scattered
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 27
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.89
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 12890
NTSB Notification Source FAA ROC
NTSB Notification Date Jun 2 2002 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1139
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Apr 15 2003 4:03PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\MONR
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Boise, ID

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N9967Q
NTSB Number SEA02LA094
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed VFR
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Piper
Aircraft Model PA-18-135
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 18-4012
Certified Max Gross Weight 1700
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection May 24 2002 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 5
Airframe Hours 5069
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Taildragon LLC
Aircraft Owner Street Address 2540 N. Constance Pl.
Aircraft Owner City Eagle
Aircraft Owner State ID
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 836163613
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code S87
Departure City Weiser
Departure State ID
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 945
Departure Time Zone MDT
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code S75
Destination City Payette
Destination State ID
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Landing
Report sent to ICAO? No
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Oct 24 2002 12:49PM
User who most recently changed record STAM
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location 31
Runway Length 3000
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --