# NTSB DEN81DTM24: Piper PA-18, N8481D, Moab, UT, May 14, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 14, 1981
- Place: Moab, UT · MOAB, UT
- Location: 38.5701° N, 109.5478° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Moab, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5701&lon=-109.5478&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 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81DTM24
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTM24

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3334  81/5/14  NR.MOAB,UT            PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 55, 1800
        TIME - 1400                    N8481D              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 8 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DIRT STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MOAB,UT                      LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          228                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WND GSTG 20KTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8481D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8481D), registered now, S/N 18-6194, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Dirt Strip

## 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 19810514026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810514026419A), May 14, 1981: Piper PA18A, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. Landed on dirt strip at oilwell. Struck by gusty crosswin d, lost control, crashed.

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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