# NTSB CEN10CA013: Piper PA-18-150, N54750, Bingham, NE, October 9, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 9, 2009, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Bingham, NE - Coordinates: 42.005554, -101.768058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0056&lon=-101.7681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Other: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74903/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74903 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's impairment due to alcohol consumption and failure to maintain aircraft control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Other: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Other: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he fueled the airplane and departed for a local flight. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he stated he has no memory of the actual crash and that he had fallen asleep, behind the controls. Photographs of the scene and information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector indicated the airplane impacted the terrain in a relatively level attitude. Additionally, a witness reported that he saw the airplane flying low, just before impact. An examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities. An alcohol test was conducted on the pilot, by local law enforcement personnel approximately seven hours after the accident, and revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.078. In his statement to law enforcement personnel, the pilot reported that he consumed alcohol prior to his departure. Additionally, the pilot did not have a current FAA medical certificate. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he fueled the airplane and departed the Grant County Airport (1V2), Hyannis, Nebraska for a local flight. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he stated he has no memory of the actual crash and that he had fallen asleep, behind the controls. Photographs of the scene and information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector indicated the airplane impacted the terrain in a relatively level attitude. Additionally, a witness reported that he saw the airplane flying low, just before impact. An examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities. An alcohol test was conducted on the pilot, by local law enforcement personnel approximately seven hours after the accident, and revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.078. In his statement to law enforcement personnel, the pilot admitted that drank some Schnapps prior to his departure. Additionally, the pilot did not have a current FAA medical certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54750](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54750), registered now, S/N 18-7609053 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7609053 - Airframe hours: 1820 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2009 - Departed: 1V2, Hyannis, NE - Destination: 1V2, Hyannis, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2008; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg ## 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 20091009050689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091009050689A), Oct 9, 2009: Piper PA-18-150, Bingham, NE, Substantial damage. The PIC was on a VFR flight in VMC conditions. He reported that he must have dozed off. The aircraft then impacted a farm pond at a low angle and skidded to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74903. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 996 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321873&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from State Agencies (item 2, .PDF, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20State%20Agencies-Master.PDF - Photo: Accident site (item 3, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Accident%20site-Master.PDF 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.