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WPR14CA288

2014-07-08 · Sand Point, Idaho, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SZT

Current FAA registration · N4842H

Make / Model
PIPER PA-17
Year of manufacture
1948 · 66 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19570725
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A5FA1B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during taxi.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported while taxiing a tailwheel equipped airplane from the runway, the airplane began to turn left. The pilot applied opposite rudder however, the turn sharpened and he "aggressively" applied the right brake which resulted in a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported while taxiing a tailwheel equipped airplane from the runway, the airplane began to turn left. The pilot applied opposite rudder however, the turn sharpened and he "aggressively" applied the right brake which resulted in a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Surface speed/braking-Not attained/maintained

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2014_WPR14CA288.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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