# NTSB CHI08CA232: Piper PA-18-150, N5951Z, Wall, SD, August 3, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 3, 2008, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Wall, SD
- Coordinates: 43.999443, -102.254447
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9994&lon=-102.2544&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Rapid City, SD, FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA232

## Probable cause

The pilot not maintaining airplane control during the landing.  Contributing to the accident was the reported wind shear.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/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-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [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.

- [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Landing: 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)

## Analysis

The pilot indicated that he was trying to land on a sand bar.  He made three passes to see if the location was useable.  During the landing approach he encountered a wind shear and impacted terrain.  He reported no mechanical issues with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot indicated that he was trying to land on a sand bar.  He made three passes to see if the location was useable.  During the landing approach he encountered a wind shear and impacted terrain.  He reported no mechanical issues with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5951Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5951Z), registered now, S/N 18-8258, built 1965 (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: 18-8258
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008
- Departed: PIR, PIERRE, SD
- Destination: 49B, STURGIS, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review September 1, 2007; flight hours: 2,000 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20080803843289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080803843289A), Aug 3, 2008: Piper PA18150, Wall, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) This accident occurred on August 3, 2008 at 1635 about 40 miles north of Wall, SD. Pilot was attempting to land his super cub on a sand bar on the…

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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