# NTSB ATL90LA175: Piper PA-18, N5429H, Midfield, AL, September 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Midfield, AL
- Coordinates: 33.460681, -86.920303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4607&lon=-86.9203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA175

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE ASSESSMENT OF DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIS RESULTANT FLIGHT INTO AREAS OF LOW CLOUDS. THE SAFETY BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE PILOT'S OVERALL LACK OF EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE FLIGHT. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS, HE ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A GRASSY FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN TALL GRASS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE WEATHER WITH A FSS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, WITH VFR CONDITIONS FORECAST. SCHEUDLED OBSERVATIONS REPORTED VFR CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, HOWEVER THE TERRAIN WHERE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE WAS HILLY AND SLIGHTLY HIGHER IN ELEVATION THAN AT THE WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY. THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5429H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5429H), registered now, S/N 18-20 (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: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-20
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Damron
- Departed: APT, JASPER, TN
- Destination: 14J, ELBA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 75 total, 62 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 5 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 19900922041619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922041619A), Sep 22, 1990: Piper PA18, Midfield, AL, Substantial damage. Landed in a field due to deteriorating weather en route. Aircraft nosed over in high grass.

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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