# NTSB CHI04CA176: Piper PA-18-150, N7072B, Lake City, MI, July 5, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2004, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lake City, MI - Coordinates: 44.323055, -85.171112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3231&lon=-85.1711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59702/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA176 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - water - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The float-equipped airplane was substantially damaged during landing when it yawed to the right after touch down, allowing the left float to catch the water. The aircraft subsequently nosed over. The pilot noted there was "minimal" wind and "near glassy water conditions." She stated that the aircraft was coming down off the step after touch down when it "began to turn a little to the right." She was unable to correct the yaw, which allowed the left float to sink enough to catch the water and the aircraft flipped over. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 2004, approximately 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N7072B, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing on Sapphire Lake near Lake City, Michigan. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The local flight reportedly departed Sapphire Lake about 1635. In the pilot's written statement, she reported that she had selected her landing point on the lake and made one 360-degree turn in order to allow some boat wakes to dissipate. She noted there was "minimal" wind and "near glassy water conditions." She stated that the aircraft was coming down off the step after touch down when it "began to turn a little to the right." She was unable to correct the yaw, which allowed the left float to sink enough to catch the water. The aircraft subsequently flipped over. The pilot reported no malfunctions or failures associated with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7072B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7072B), registered now, S/N 18-5147 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5147 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAKE CITY, MI - Airport: PVT, Sapphire Lake ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 27, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 174 total, 32 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: CAD, 11 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 20040705013269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040705013269A), Jul 5, 2004: Piper PA18A150, Lake City, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) PA18-150 on floats, pilot has approx. 30 hrs float experience. Pilot reports minimal wind and near glass water conditions. Water landing was uneventful,… ## Other investigations on N7072B (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC71DDQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DDQ01), Jul 2, 1970: Piper PA-18A (N7072B), White Lake, SD, substantial damage 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.