Piper PA-18-150 N150AM

Summary

On 11 March 2000 at about 18:10 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N150AM was involved in an accident near Neenah, Wisconsin, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2000 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Neenah, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Brennard (79C)

Coordinates

44.1610, -88.4709

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N150AM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Oshkosh → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI00LA092

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's inability to flare the airplane during landing and the subsequent loss of directional control due to restricted movement of the control stick. The control stick movement was restricted by the rear seat cushion which was not secured to the seat/airframe. A factor associated with the accident was the trees which the airplane contacted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that just prior to touchdown he was unable to apply 'full up elevator.' The airplane bounced on landing and yawed to the right. He applied full left rudder and brake, but the airplane continued toward the trees. He then applied right rudder and brake to intentionally ground loop the airplane in an attempt to miss the trees. However, the left wing contacted the trees and the airplane spun around to the left prior to stopping. Inspection of the airplane revealed the rear seat cushion was mounted on plywood which was not securely fastened to the seat structure/airframe. This allowed the seat cushion to move forward, restricting the movement of the control yoke.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.