# NTSB CHI82DA220: Piper PA-18, N897SP, Hobart, IN, June 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1982, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Hobart, IN
- Location: 41.5135° N, 87.2764° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hobart, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5135&lon=-87.2764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA220

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT AGL. SUBSEQUENTLY, DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT FLEW THROUGH A ROW OF TREES WHEN THE PILOT TRIED TO REACH AN OPEN AREA THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A GRAVE YARD. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT EACH FUEL TANK WAS AT LEAST 1/4 FULL AND REPORTED THAT THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED DURING A NORMAL CLIMB. THE FIRE WALL FUEL STRAINER AND CARBURETOR BOWL WERE FOUND FULL OF FUEL AND NO CONTAMINATION WAS NOTED. ALSO, AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N897SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N897SP-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 54-2355, built 1954 (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: [Lycoming O-360-C4P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c4p) (registry code 42289, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-3555
- Airframe hours: 3676
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack T. Hubbard
- Registered owner: Jack T. Hubbard
- Departed: 3HO, HOBART, IN
- Destination: LRP, LAPORTE, IN
- Airport: 3HO, Hobart, runway 18, 3,125 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,565 total, 450 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820620024199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820620024199A), Jun 20, 1982: Piper PA18, Hobart, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit during steep climb after takeoff. Aircraft crashed into trees during emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N897SP (2)

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 ANC08FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08FA072), Jun 7, 2008: Piper PA-18 (N897SP), Quinhagak, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude in high winds, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and uncontrolled descent to the ground. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB DEN99LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA097), Jun 6, 1999: Piper PA-18 (N897SP), Glenwood Sprngs, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the gusty quartering tailwind.

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.