# NTSB DEN03LA061: Piper PA-18A-150, N6883B, Newcastle, WY, April 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 2003, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Newcastle, WY - Coordinates: 43.530834, -104.666389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5308&lon=-104.6664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56731/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA061 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Contributing factors include inadequate in-flight planning and decision making by the pilot, and the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of certification, pilot in command - maintenance,annual inspection - not complied with, pilot in command - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was "checking" cattle. While reversing course to the right, the airplane's wing tip impacted terrain. Subsequently the airplane cartwheeled, coming to rest inverted, substantially damaging the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. FAA records showed the pilot's last medical was dated February 1, 1994. The pilot failed to report having a current flight review. No record of an annual inspection was found. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 2003, at approximately 1645 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18A-150, N6883B, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering approximately 31 miles southwest of Newcastle, Wyoming. The private pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that had originated approximately 1500. The pilot did not submit an accident report due to personal injuries and extended hospitalization. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot was "checking" cattle. He was reversing course to the right, to check on a newborn calf, when the right wing tip impacted terrain. Subsequently, the airplane cartwheeled, coming to rest inverted. The right wing was bent and wrinkled, and its spar was broken. the fuselage was crushed, and the empennage was wrinkled and bent. FAA records show the pilot's last medical was dated February 1, 1994. Documentation for the pilot's biennial flight review or the airplane's annual inspection were not found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6883B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6883B), registered now, S/N 18-5070, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18A-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5070 - Engines: Lycoming O-20 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allen E. Slagle - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Newcastle, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: ECS, 27 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 20030401004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030401004959A), Apr 1, 2003: Piper PA18A150, Newcastle, WY, Destroyed. (-23) The aircraft was on a ranch operation checking cattle when the pilot turned to the right. The right wing tip hit the ground followed by the prop spinner.… ## Other investigations on N6883B (2) 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 DEN70F0023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70F0023), May 22, 1969: Piper PA-18A (N6883B), Meeker, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC67D0054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0054), Jul 10, 1966: Piper PA-18A (N6883B), Bartley, NE, 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.