Incident
On 30 September 2010 at approximately 07:47 UTC (09:47 local time), a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, registration D-ELVR, experienced a ground loop during the landing roll at Aosta Airport (ICAO: LIMW). The aircraft came to rest on the grass facing opposite the landing direction. The two occupants, a pilot and an instructor, exited the aircraft unharmed.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub (serial number 18-8083, built in 1963), was equipped with an Avco Lycoming O-320-A2D engine and a Sensenich two-blade fixed-pitch propeller. It had accumulated 5885 hours 46 minutes of flight time, with the engine having 370 hours 6 minutes since major overhaul. The aircraft was operated by Aero Club Valle d'Aosta and held a valid airworthiness certificate.
The pilot, a 42-year-old Italian male, held a valid Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) and a first-class medical certificate. He had 251 hours 42 minutes total flight time, including 2 hours 32 minutes on the PA-18 type. The instructor, a 67-year-old Italian male, held a valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)) and a first-class medical certificate. He had 9,091 hours total flight time, with 7,955 hours 22 minutes as an instructor and 250 hours on the PA-18 type.
Flight Description
The flight was the third mission of a training program for pilots transitioning to tailwheel aircraft, conducted under the Aero Club's approved syllabus. The mission, lasting 60 minutes, involved practicing short takeoff and landing techniques. During the first landing, shortly after touchdown, the aircraft deviated slightly left of the runway centerline. Following the instructor's suggestion, the pilot applied right rudder pedal to correct. This input was excessive, causing the aircraft to yaw sharply to the right. The instructor then took control, applying left rudder and increasing engine power to initiate a go-around. Despite these actions, the aircraft continued a tight right turn. The right main wheel lifted, and the aircraft skidded on the left main wheel, departing the runway onto grass. The instructor, aiming to avoid the southern airport fence, maintained the right turn. The uneven terrain caused the aircraft to bounce, and upon impact, the left landing gear collapsed, resulting in contact between the ground and the left wing, fuselage, and propeller. The aircraft came to rest near the road adjacent to the airport perimeter fence, facing opposite the landing direction.
Damage
Substantial damage occurred to the left wing, fuselage, main landing gear, engine, and propeller. No damage to third parties on the ground was reported.
Analysis
Given the pilot's limited experience on the PA-18 type, it is very probable that after landing, the pilot countered the initial left deviation with an excessive right pedal input. This action, with the tailwheel in contact with the runway, caused a corresponding tailwheel angle and a pronounced right yaw, leading to the ground loop.