# NTSB CHI89FA129: Piper PA-18, N2336J, Roscommon, MI, July 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1989, 19:06 local (23:06 UTC)
- Place: Roscommon, MI
- Coordinates: 44.489643, -84.580627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4896&lon=-84.5806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA129

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT WHILE MANEUVERING AND THE FAILURE TO PERFORM REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING AN OUT OF CONTROL DESCENT. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT DESCRIBED THE AIRPLANE AS SUDDENLY CLIMBING BEFORE DROPPING ONE WING AND SPINNING INTO THE GROUND. ONE PILOT RATED WITNESS WHO WAS IN ANOTHER AIRPLANE DESCRIBED A MULTIPLE TURN SPIN PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE PILOT HAD BEEN TREATED AND RELEASED FOR A THERMAL INJURY (SUNBURN) AT A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM SIX DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD JUST SPENT ANOTHER FULL DAY EXPOSED TO THE SUN CANOEING WITH FRIENDS. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WITH EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2336J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2336J-1990-06-18), registration cancelled 1990-06-18, S/N 187909108 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7909108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hoffman Flying Service
- Departed: 55D, GRAYLING AAF, MI
- Destination: 80D, CLARE COUNTY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 502 total, 87 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL, 10 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 19890708020839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890708020839A), Jul 8, 1989: Piper PA18150, Roscommon, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Was observed to pull up vertically. Stall and spin. No attempt to recover. Had chronic asthma. Knew how to recover.

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.