# NTSB DEN73DTC08: Piper PA-18, N8254C, Bell Fourch, SD, September 1, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 1, 1972
- Place: Bell Fourch, SD · BELL FOURCH, SD
- Location: 44.6638° N, 103.8591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Belle Fourche, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6638&lon=-103.8591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 19, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73DTC08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DTC08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3920   72/9/1    BELL FOURCH,S DAK   PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 31, 148
        TIME - 0930                    N8254C              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL SURVEY             TOTAL HOURS, 31 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BELL FOURCH,S DAK           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8254C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8254C-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 18-3680, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Muleshoe Strip

## Other investigations on N8254C (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 DEN83LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA097), Apr 14, 1983: Piper PA-18-150 (N8254C), Hulett, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN80FTC14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTC14), May 6, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N8254C), Hulett, WY, 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.

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