# NTSB CEN09CA062: Piper PA-18, N7096D, Foraker, OK, November 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 16, 2008, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Foraker, OK - Coordinates: 36.833332, -96.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8333&lon=-96.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69452/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident were the wind gusts. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis While en route the pilot noticed that the engine began "running a little rough." Unable to resolve the rough-running engine, the pilot elected to execute a precautionary landing to a field. During the landing, the pilot attempted to correct for the crosswind gusts, which he estimated were at 10-15 miles per hour. Subsequently, the airplane's landing gear touched down and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the wing struts were bent and the fuselage was buckled. ## Factual narrative While en route the pilot noticed that the engine began "running a little rough." Unable to resolve the rough-running engine, the pilot elected to execute a precautionary landing to a field. During the landing, the pilot attempted to correct for the crosswind gusts, which he estimated were at 10-15 miles per hour. Subsequently, the airplane's landing gear touched down and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the wing struts were bent and the fuselage was buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7096D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7096D), registered now, S/N 18-5586 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5586 - Airframe hours: 7250 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steve Eaton - Registered owner: Steve Eaton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2008 - Departed: RVS, Tulsa, OK - Destination: Pawhuska, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 480 total, 330 in this make and model, 435 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 18 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F - Observed at: PNC, 31 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 20081116850659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081116850659A), Nov 16, 2008: Piper PA18A, Ponca City, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated while flying 20 nw of jenks, Oklahoma his engine starting running rough. He decided to make a pre-cautionary landing in a 40+acre 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.