# NTSB ATL89LA062: Piper PA-18A, N1176D, Sandusky, OH, December 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1988, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Sandusky, OH
- Coordinates: 41.450443, -82.709564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4504&lon=-82.7096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA062

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - aborted landing - attempted
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT ON RWY 27 IN WINDS THAT HE ESTIMATED WERE FROM 240 DEG AT 10 TO 15 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KTS. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE GROUNDSPEED HAD SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 KTS, THE LEFT WING STARTED TO RAISE. HE APPLIED FULL POWER & THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE GROUND; HOWEVER, IT DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, STRUCK SMALL TREES & SHRUBS, THEN CRASHED. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HIS LEFT KNEE MAY HAVE MOVED THE STICK TO THE RIGHT (CENTERING THE STICK) AS HE WAS REACHING FOR THE FLAP HANDLE DURING THE ROLL-OUT. APRX 35 MI EAST AT CLEVELAND, THE 1451 EST WIND WAS FROM 250 DEG AT 18 GUSTING 26 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1176D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6837
- Airframe hours: 2728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lenardson, James R.
- Registered owner: Lenardson, James R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 198 hours before
- Departed: TDZ, TOLEDO, OH
- Destination: CLE
- Airport: SKY, Griffing Sandusky, runway 27, 3,553 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,360 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,223 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 35 nm away

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.

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