# NTSB CHI98LA320: Piper PA-18-150, N9044D, Lac Du Flambeau, WI, August 9, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1998, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lac Du Flambeau, WI
- Coordinates: 45.969524, -89.900352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9695&lon=-89.9004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA320
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA320

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the subsequent inadvertant stall.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

The pilot reported he made a low downwind pass over the lake prior to landing.  He stated that after the pass, he gained altitude and began a left turn to the base leg at which time the 'aircraft then stalled.'  The airplane descending with the left wing impacting the water first, followed by the right float.  The airplane came to rest inverted in approximately four feet of water.

## Factual narrative

On August 9, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18- 150, N9044D, operated by a private pilot was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on Crawling Stone Lake, Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The flight departed Lake Du Bay, Mosinee, Wisconsin, at 0930 cdt.

The pilot reported he made a low downwind pass over the lake prior to landing.  He stated that after the pass he gained altitude and began a left turn to the base leg at which time the "aircraft then stalled."  The airplane descending with the left wing impacting the water first, followed by the right float.  The airplane came to rest inverted in approximately four feet of water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9044D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9044D), registered now, S/N 18-6788, built 1958 (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: 18-6788
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allen L. Lewitzke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MOSINEE, WI
- Destination: LAC DU FLAMBEAU, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 773 total, 427 in this make and model, 659 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19980809046789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980809046789A), Aug 9, 1998: Piper PA18150, La Du Flambeau, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) Lost airspeed turning base to final - misjudged wind. (.19) on August 9, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18- 150, N9044D, operated by a…

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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