# NTSB ATL90FA153: Piper PA-18, N9239T, Southport, NC, August 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1990, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Southport, NC
- Coordinates: 33.919071, -78.019546 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9191&lon=-78.0195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA153

## Probable cause

THE ENTRY INTO A FLAT SPIN WHICH PRECLUDED RECOVERY BY THE PILOT. THE REASON FOR THE SPIN BECOMING FLAT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER ENTERING AN INTENTIONAL SPIN MANEUVER, WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE SPIN IMMEDIATELY BECAME 'FLAT'. THE SPIN CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 7 TO 8 TURNS PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. REPORTEDLY, THE NOSE DROPPED SLIGHTLY DURING THE LAST TURN OF THE SPIN. WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS INDICATE THAT THE AIRCRAFT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSIDE UTILITY CATEGORY LIMITATIONS DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. THE REASON FOR THE SPIN BECOMING FLAT, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9239T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9239T-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 18-2253, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2253
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oak Island Flight Academy
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1990
- Airport: SUT, Brunswick County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 24,090 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 23 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900802029539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900802029539A), Aug 2, 1990: Piper STCPA18, Southport, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Made low altitude loops and wingovers. Put in spin at 3000 ft AGL. Began flat spin to impact.

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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