Piper PA-18-150 N83679 accident, Artesian, SD, May 11, 1998 · NTSB CHI98TA145

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightManeuvering

Low altitude flight/maneuver - intentionalPilot in commandCause

Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Stall - inadvertentPilot in commandCause

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

Purpose of the flight was predator (coyote) control for the State of South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. The pilot and a gunner were attempting to chase a coyote out of a 'slew' into an alfalfa field when the accident occurred. The pilot reported they were in a left, slightly descending turn at an altitude of 150 feet above the ground when the stick went 'limp.' The pilot reported he added full power, leveled the wings, and applied forward stick pressure in an attempt to regain lift. The airplane continued to descend and it impacted the edge of the alfalfa field in a wings level attitude. Upon impact the main landing gear separated from the airplane and the airplane slid approximately 60 feet prior to nosing over. The pilot reported that he suspects 'wind shear' caused the accident. Winds reported 30 miles northwest of the accident site were from 140 degrees at 7 knots.

Factual narrative

On May 11, 1998, at 0730 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18- 150, N83679, operated by the State of South Dakota, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering over Artesian, South Dakota. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The public use flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from Huron, South Dakota.

Purpose of the flight was predator (coyote) control for the State of South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. The pilot and a gunner were attempting to chase a coyote out of a "slew" into an alfalfa field when the accident occurred. The pilot reported they were in a left, slightly descending turn at an altitude of 150 feet above the ground when the stick went "limp." The pilot reported he added full power, leveled the wings, and applied forward stick pressure in an attempt to regain lift. According to the pilot the airplane continued to descend and it impacted the edge of the alfalfa field in a wings level attitude. Upon impact the main landing gear separated form the airplane and the airplane slid approximately 60 feet prior to nosing over.

The pilot reported that he suspects "wind shear" caused the accident. Winds reported at Huron, South Dakota, (30 miles northwest of the accident site), at 0755 cdt, were from 140 degrees at 7 knots.

Aircraft

Registration: N83679
Reported as: Piper PA-18-150
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 18-7709117
Airframe hours: 7,072
Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2B, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Public aircraft · Part 91
Registered owner: State Of South Dakota
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: Annual · October 16, 1997 · 255 hours before
Departed: HON · Huron, SD

N83679Registered now · Piper PA-18-150S/N 18-7709117 · Built 1977 Airframe modelPiper PA-18-150 Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 55
Certificate: Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat: Front
Flight hours: 8,030 total · 7,400 in this make and model · 8,000 as pilot in command · 230 in the last 90 days · 50 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 140° at 7 knots
Visibility: 6 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Observed at: HON, 30 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.

Accident 19980511021449APiper PA18150 · Artesian, SDPublic use state flight lost control maneuvering over city. Collided with terrain. (-23) departed from huron airport at 0630 CDT. Flying at 75 feet AGL. Observed coyote. Made climbing left turn. Told gunner to shoot. At 65MPH and in slight left turn, stick…May 11, 1998 · N83679 · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N83679 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB NYC78DFJ20Accident · No injuriesClosedSyracuse, NYMay 11, 1978 · Substantial damage