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GAA18CA268

2018-05-05 · Fulton, New York, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport FZY

Current FAA registration · N4534H

Make / Model
PIPER PA-15
Year of manufacture
1948 · 70 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-145B SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19571002
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A5802D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in crosswind conditions, the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 24. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in crosswind conditions, the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 24. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA268.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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