# Accident 19970705047259A: Piper PA18150, Bigcreek, ID, July 5, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 5, 1997, 11:00 local time
- Place: Bigcreek, ID
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.0696° N, 115.9707° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0696&lon=-115.9707&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4249Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4249Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18150
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA97LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA163) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970705047259A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-16) WHILE HE WAS CIRCLING AN EARLIER AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE, THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND CONSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE RISING TERRAIN. PRIOR TO IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN ALONG A RIDGE WHERE THE PILOT REPORTED EXPERIENCING UNFAVORABLE AIR CURRENTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA97LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA163), Jul 5, 1997: Piper PA-18-150 (N4249Z), Big Creek, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command's inadequate terrain clearance and failure to maintain directional control. Also, the overload of the aircraft's left main landing gear strut assembly. Factors contributing to…

## Other reports on N4249Z (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20130725025619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130725025619A), Jul 25, 2013: Piper PA-18-150 (N4249Z), Challis, ID, Substantial damage. Aircraft was departing runway 16. As the tailwheel rose during the departure roll, the pilot reports the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot reports he…
- [Incident 19780406008239I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780406008239I), Apr 6, 1978: Piper PA18150 (N4249Z), Promontory, UT, Minor damage. Landed short of intended area, struck rock. Landing gear damaged.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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