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Atlas / NTSB / MIA98LA116

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event MIA98LA116

1998-03-30 MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina, United States Airport · CRE None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N2150A

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

PIPER PA-18-135

Year of manufacture

1956 · 42 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)

Seats / Engines

2 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19880618

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A1CE6E

Registrant of record

AERIAL SIGN NORTH

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control after landing.

Factual narrative

On March 30, 1998, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18-135, N2150A, registered to Barnstormer Flite Signs Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 local flight, impacted the runway while landing near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and one commercial-rated pilot/passenger were not injured. The flight had originated from the Grand Strand Airport, at 1000. The pilot-in-command (PIC) was conducting a familiarization flight when the accident occurred. The PIC said that after touchdown on runway 23, "...the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft veered left then veered to the right, I then tried to add left brake with no successes, while veering right the aircraft tipped up and dragged the left wing. We then taxied to the ramp to inspect the aircraft." According to the FAA Inspector that was at the crash site, "...during a crosswind landing on runway 23...the pilot lost directional control of his aircraft. The pilot told the FAA Inspector that the airplane came to rest on runway 23 before the first turnoff. In addition, the pilot told the FAA Inspector, according to the inspector's statement, that "the wind was gusty and from the south." The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 180 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot-in-command (PIC) was conducting a familiarization flight. The PIC said that after touchdown on runway 23, he 'lost directional control.' The aircraft veered left, then veered to the right; he then tried to add left brake with no success. While veering right the aircraft tipped up and dragged the left wing. He then taxied to the ramp to inspect the aircraft. According to the FAA Inspector that was at the crash site, '...during a crosswind landing on runway 23...the pilot lost directional control of his aircraft.' The pilot said that the wind was gusty and from the south. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 180 degrees at 8 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1998_MIA98LA116.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.