# NTSB CHI98TA145: Piper PA-18-150, N83679, Artesian, SD, May 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: May 11, 1998, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Artesian, SD - Coordinates: 44.000465, -97.92057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0005&lon=-97.9206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 10, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46402 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98TA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46402/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98TA145 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83679), registered now, S/N 18-7709117, built 1977 (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: 18-7709117 - Airframe hours: 7072 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980511021449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980511021449A), May 11, 1998: Piper PA18150, Artesian, SD, Substantial damage. Public use state flight lost control maneuvering over city. Collided with terrain. (-23) departed from huron airport at 0630 CDT. Flying at 75 feet AGL.… ## Other investigations on N83679 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC78DFJ20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78DFJ20), May 11, 1978: Piper PA-18 (N83679), Syracuse, NY, substantial damage 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.