# NTSB CHI94LA203: Piper PA-18, N81TW, Terre Haute, IN, June 19, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1994, 14:31 local (18:31 UTC) - Place: Terre Haute, IN - Coordinates: 39.469505, -87.379898 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4695&lon=-87.3799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA203 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9571/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA203 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's inadvertant stall of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the elevator trim position. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - elevator trim - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The surviving second pilot reported he was conducting a simulated short field takeoff and the senior pilot-in-command was also on the controls. They were distracted during the takeoff roll when the second pilot discovered his seat belt was not fastened. He said he fastened it and continued the takeoff. The tower controller who witnessed the accident reported the nose of the airplane appeared to be excessively high. The airplane reached a maximum altitude of about 200 feet. The left wing dipped and the airplane impacted the terrain. Postaccident investigation revealed the elevator trim jack screw was in the full nose up position. Investigation disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1994, at 1431 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, N81TW, operated by American Trans Air Training Corporation, was destroyed during takeoff from the Hulman Regional Airport in Terre Haute, Indiana. The commercial pilot-in-command sustained fatal injuries. The front seat pilot, also a commercial pilot, sustained serious injuries. Both pilots were certified flight instructors employed by the operator. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. A employee of the operator said the flight was a maintenance check flight for the newly installed engine. The surviving second pilot said this was his first flight in this type of airplane and he was flying with the other pilot, a senior flight instructor, to gain experience. He said it was the operator's policy for instructors to fly five or six hours in each type of tailwheel-equipped airplane prior to instructing in that type. The tower controller who witnessed the accident stated the airplane was cleared for an intersection takeoff on runway 5. During the initial climb, the nose of the airplane appeared to be excessively high. The airplane reached a maximum altitude of about 200 feet. The left wing dipped and the airplane impacted the terrain. The wreckage was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector. He stated in a written report that he discovered no evidence of preexisting airframe or engine malfunction. The elevator trim jack screw was found in the full nose up position. During a telephone interview, the surviving second pilot stated he was flying the airplane and the other pilot was also on the controls. They were conducting a simulated short field takeoff as specified in the pilot's operating handbook. He said they were distracted during the initial portion of the take off roll when he discovered his seat belt was unfastened. He fastened it and continued the takeoff. At 35 to 40 knots he lowered the flaps and the airplane became airborne. He said he remembered feeling uncomfortable, probably due to the low airspeed, but could not recall other details of the accident. During a telephone interview, an engineer employed by the Piper Aircraft Company said the airplane would be controllable with the elevator trim in the full nose up position. However, it would require a significant forward pressure on the stick to maintain a proper climb pitch. An autopsy was performed by the Office of the Marion County Coroner, 40 S. Alabama St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. The results of toxicological testing of the deceased pilot were negative for all tests except for morphine which was measured at .029 and 3.570 (ug/ml,ug/g) for blood and bile specimens respectively. Evidence of postaccident medical care was described in the autopsy report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81TW-1996-11-20), registration cancelled 1996-11-20, S/N 183515 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3515 - Airframe hours: 3722 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: American Trans Air Training Co - Registered owner: American Trans Air Training Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 1993, 66 hours before - Airport: HUF, Hulman Regional, runway 5, 9,020 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,293 total, 110 in this make and model, 998 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 12 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HUF ## 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 19940619015629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940619015629A), Jun 19, 1994: Piper PA18, Terre Haute, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Maintenance new engine test flight. Nosed up and stalled after takeoff. Elevator trim full nose high. Could overcome 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.