# Accident 20190119000289A: Piper PA-18, Iron Moutain, MI, January 19, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 19, 2019, 13:32 local time
- Place: Iron Moutain, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.8300° N, 87.9800° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8300&lon=-87.9800&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3298Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3298Z-2020-08-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18 (registry code 7101802, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C90 series (registry code 17009, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 15,196 total, 1,250 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN19CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19CA062) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190119000289A

## Narrative

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

ON JANUARY 19, 2019 AT 13:15 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST), A PIPER PA-18 AIRCRAFT, N3298Z, REGISTERED TO AN INDIVIDUAL AND OPERATED BY AN AIRLINE PILOT FOR A PERSONAL FLIGHT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT STRUCK THE ICE ON LAKE FUMEE WHILE MANEUVERING DURING LOW LEVEL FLIGHT.

VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND LIGHT WINDS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PRIVATE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 91 WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN.  THE PILOT AND RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM IRON MOUNTAIN, FORD AIRPORT (IMT), KINGSFORD, MI AT APPROXIMATELY 13:00 CST.

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING LOW OVER THE FROZEN LAKE AND DURING A LEFT TURN BECAME DISORIENTED. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE SNOW-COVERED ICE AND FLIPPED ON TO ITS BACK.

WEATHER AT KIMT AIRPORT AT 18:54 ZULU WAS: WIND 350 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS, VISIBILITY 10 STATUTE MILES, 3300 BROKEN, TEMP 11 DEW POINT 18 AND ALTIMETER 3020.

## 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 CEN19CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19CA062), Jan 19, 2019: Piper PA 18 (N3298Z), Iron Mountain, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's distraction and subsequent loss of situational awareness and visual horizon in overcast sky conditions, which led to an unrecognized descent during a low-level maneuver and subsequent…

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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