# NTSB DEN07CA151: Piper PA-18-150, N3914Z, Rawlins, WY, August 31, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 31, 2007, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Rawlins, WY
- Coordinates: 41.803333, -107.193054
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8033&lon=-107.1931&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA151

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor to the accident was the crosswind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot made a normal landing on runway 28. During the landing rollout, "a crosswind caused the airplane to yaw uncontrollably to the right and it departed the runway." The airplane departed the runway surface, the left main gear sank into soft terrain, and the airplane's left wing struck the terrain. The left rear wing spar and the left aileron were bent. The wind conditions at the time of the accident were 330 degrees at 14 gusting to 23 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to a statement by the pilot, he made a normal landing on runway 28. During the landing rollout, "a crosswind caused the airplane to yaw uncontrollably to the right and it departed the runway." As the plane departed the runway surface, the left main gear sank into soft terrain and subsequently, the airplane's left wing contacted the terrain. The commercial rated pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left rear wing spar and the left aileron were bent. The wind conditions at the time of the accident were 330 degrees at 14 gusting to 23 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3914Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3914Z), registered now, S/N 18-7731, built 1961 (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: 18-7731
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald L. McMillen
- Registered owner: Ronald H. Bair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BPI, Big Piney, WY
- Destination: RWL, Rawlins, WY
- Airport: RWL, Rawlins Municipal Airport, runway 28

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,300 total, 350 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: KRWL

## Other investigations on N3914Z (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 DEN81FTK10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTK10), Jun 1, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N3914Z), Dallas, SD, substantial damage, 2 fatal

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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