# NTSB CHI91LA069: Piper PA-18, N2115A, Ashland, NE, January 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1991, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, NE
- Coordinates: 41.039966, -96.369567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0400&lon=-96.3696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW PASS AND OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAID THAT THEY OBSERVED TWO AIRCRAFT FLYING ABOUT 3 FEET OVER THE FROZEN, SNOW COVERED RIVER.  ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT SKIMMED THE SNOW COVERED SURFACE WITH ITS MAIN GEAR, THEN NOSED OVER.  THE ACFT LEFT TRACKS IN THE SNOW, ABOUT 360 FEET PRIOR TO THE NOSE OVER.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FUEL SHORTAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2115A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2115A), registered now, S/N 18-1846, built 1952 (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: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1846
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward L. Base
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1990
- Departed: MLE, MILLARD, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F
- Observed at: OFF, 25 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 19910112000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910112000489A), Jan 12, 1991: Piper PA18, Ashland, NE, Substantial damage. Flew into deep snow on frozen river and nosed over.

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.