# Accident 20150307004609A: Piper PA-18-150, Merced, CA, March 7, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 7, 2015, 11:30 local time
- Place: Merced, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.5833° N, 120.3833° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5833&lon=-120.3833&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5385Y, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5385Y) (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 PA-18-150
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR15LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA126) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150307004609A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT CONTROL STICK CAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING AT LOW LEVEL. THE AIRCRAFT QUICKLY HIT THE EARTH BEFORE THE CONTROL STICK COULD BE REINSTALLED.  THE INSTALLATION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPER, BUT THE ELEVATOR/ AILERON CONTROL STICK WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE WRECKAGE SITE PRIOR TO THE INSPECTOR INVESTIGATION.

## 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 WPR15LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA126), Mar 7, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N5385Y), Merced, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the flight control stick from the stub due to its improper installation.

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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