# NTSB CHI92DCJ01: Piper PA-18-125, N1217A, Ashby, NE, January 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1992, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Ashby, NE
- Coordinates: 42.019817, -101.930824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0198&lon=-101.9308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCJ01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHILE MANEUVERING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS AERIAL OBSERVATION FOR A COYOTE HUNTING GROUP. WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE HUNTING GROUP, PULLED UP SHARPLY AND ENTERED A LEFT TURN. THEY STATED AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED STEEPLY ONE WING DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED, NOSE DOWN AND ROTATING, INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1217A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1217A-1993-02-24), registration cancelled 1993-02-24, S/N 18835 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-835
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cole, Robert R.
- Registered owner: Cole, Robert R.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 177 total, 107 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920105000869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920105000869A), Jan 5, 1992: Piper PA18125, Ashby, NE, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. On search for hunters. Dived over hunters. Pulled up vertical stalled and spun to ground.

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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