# NTSB DEN75AD053: Piper PA-18, N13833, Rock Springs, WY, April 15, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 15, 1975
- Place: Rock Springs, WY · ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Location: 41.5947° N, 109.2209° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rock Springs, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5947&lon=-109.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 24, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 148408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN75AD053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD053

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1171  75/4/15  NR.ROCK SPRINGS,WY    PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 36, 267
        TIME - 0751                    N13833              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 262 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ROCK SPRINGS,WY              HAYDEN,CO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - SNOW
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- ADVSD VFR FLT COULDNT BE MADE. RECOVERY DATE 4/20/75.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13833](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13833), registered now, S/N 18-8959, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19750415015649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750415015649A), Apr 15, 1975: Piper PA18150, Rock Springs, WY, Destroyed. Advsd VFR flt couldnt be made. Recovery date 4/20/75.

## Other investigations on N13833 (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 GAA16CA482](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA482), Sep 9, 2016: Piper PA18 (N13833), Gulkana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ANC05TA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05TA126), Aug 20, 2005: Piper PA-18-150 (N13833), Cold Foot, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing down during the landing roll. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven terrain.

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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