# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-18-135: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ANC25LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA066.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Chenega, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 28, 2025 · N55PT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting and variable wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR23LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA336.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Compton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2023 · N7199K · Substantial damage
  > An overstress fracture of the pilot’s seat, which resulted in the loss of control during takeoff and the pilot’s inadvertent movement of the fuel selector and subsequent partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ANC19LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA048.md): Piper PA-18 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2019 · N1124 · Substantial damage
  > The inappropriate application of paint underneath the engine cylinder hold-down nuts, which resulted in inadequate torque and the subsequent in-flight separation of the No. 3 cylinder, and resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA19CA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA348.md): Piper PA18 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2019 · N2765A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's premature pitch control input during takeoff, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB GAA19CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA117.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Longmont, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 3, 2019 · N89018 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA022.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Cherry Ridge, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 14, 2018 · N6690D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB GAA17CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA275.md): Piper PA18 · Seward, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2017 · N1258C · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's incorrect brake application during a high-speed taxi with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA16CA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA264.md): Piper PA18 · Seward, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 22, 2016 · N1258C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain proper airspeed and descent rate, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB ANC15LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA056.md): Piper PA 18-150 · Dillingham, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2015 · N8761C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue a takeoff even though the airplane was not airborne by the…
- [NTSB GAA15CA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA164.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Twin Falls, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2015 · N8086C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel inspection during his preflight fuel performance planning task, resulting in fuel exhaustion en route, and an emergency landing and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC14CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA079.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Susitna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2014 · N959E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC14CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA074.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 5, 2014 · N2158A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC14CA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA043.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Beluga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 19, 2014 · N27293 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control when encountering a downdraft during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in a collision with brush and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA14LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA198.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Aguas Buenas, PR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2014 · N2875D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR14CA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA166.md): Piper PA 18-135 · Kent, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 12, 2014 · N1394Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC13CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA070.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2013 · N1467C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate evaluation of his landing area, which resulted in contact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR12CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA102.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Concrete, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 12, 2012 · N1155C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not attain and maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain while maneuvering.
- [NTSB ERA10CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA300.md): Piper PA-18-135 · North Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 6, 2010 · N2150A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ANC08CA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA119.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Coldfoot, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 8, 2008 · N9950Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain/maintain sufficient flying speed during initial climb.
- [NTSB NYC08LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA201.md): Piper PA-18-135 · Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 31, 2008 · N802DA · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to thermally-induced failure of a piston. Contributing to the accident was the sustained engine exposure to abnormally high operating temperatures and detonation, and the exceedance of the engine manufacturer's recommended overhaul…

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7101820')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '470' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence?model=7101820

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