# NTSB CHI94LA108: Piper PA-18-150, N14395, Ottumwa, SD, March 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1994, 18:30 local (Mar 11, 1994, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Ottumwa, SD - Coordinates: 44.069824, -101.150054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0698&lon=-101.1501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9486/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA108 ## Probable cause inadequate compensation for wind conditions and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors related to the accident were the crosswind and the fence posts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS MAKING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ON A GRAVEL ROAD WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE WAS LANDING TO THE SOUTH WITH WINDS FROM AN EASTERLY DIRECTION AT 12 KNOTS GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE REACHED A CREST IN THE ROAD, THE AIRPLANE WEATHER VANED INTO THE WIND AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED A FENCE POST. THE AIRPLANE THEN VEERED 90 DEGREES AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED ANOTHER POST. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 1994, at 1830 central standard time, a Piper PA-18- 150, N14395, operated by Ice Flying Service, contacted fence posts following a loss of directional control during an off airport landing near Ottumwa, South Dakota. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local 14 CFR Part 91 business flight originated from Ottumwa, South Dakota. The pilot reported he was flagging a field for another airplane which was involved in an aerial application operation. He stated he was moving to a better location when the accident occurred. He stated that because the field was wet, he decided to land on a nearby gravel road. He reported the local winds were from 110 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 15 knots and he was landing in a southerly direction. During the landing roll the airplane weather vaned into the wind (left) as it reached a crest in the road. The pilot stated he added full power in an attempt to takeoff, but the left wing contacted a fence post so he reduced power. The airplane then pivoted 90 degrees, and the right gear contacted another fence post before the airplane came to a stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14395](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14395), registered now, S/N 18-7409093, built 1974 (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: 18-7409093 - Airframe hours: 6325 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Cecil G. Ice, doing business as Ice Flying Service - Registered owner: Cecil G. Ice - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1993, 4 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 18 knots - Visibility: 45 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PIR ## 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 19940310007229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940310007229A), Mar 10, 1994: Piper PA18150, Ottumwa, SD, Substantial damage. Tried land crosswind on a road. Weathervaned. Tried to go around. Wing struck fence post. Pivoted damaging gear. 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.