# NTSB DEN82FTK06: Piper PA-18, N154T, Watertown, SD, August 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1982, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, SD
- Coordinates: 44.910251, -97.159072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9103&lon=-97.1591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTK06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTK06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING A SUNFLOWER FIELD NEXT TO AN ALFALFA FIELD THAT WAS BEING IRRIGATED. AS HE PULLED UP FROM HIS THIRD SWATH RUN, HE BEGAN A PROCEDURE TURN-AROUND OVER THE ALFALFA FIELD. DURING THE TURN, THE PLANE ROLLED TO AN INVERTED ATTITUDE, THEN PITCHED DOWN AND CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TURN WAS MADE DOWNWIND FROM THE IRRIGATION SPRINKLERS. THE HUMIDITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE TURN WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 80%, WHEREAS THE HUMIDITY OVER THE SUNFLOWER FIELD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 40%. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 1860 FT AND THE TEMPERATURE AND ALTIMETER SETTING WERE ABOUT 85 DEG AND 30.12, RESPECTIVELY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N154T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N154T), registered now, S/N 18-2268 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2268
- Airframe hours: 4420
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Riggin Spray Service
- Registered owner: Morris Riggin
- Departed: WATERTOWN, SD
- Destination: WATERTOWN, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 705 total, 240 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820817038779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820817038779A), Aug 17, 1982: Piper PA18150, Watertown, SD, Destroyed. Entered a high speed stall in a steep turn at 50 feet AGL. Aircraft rolled inverted and crashed. High humidity.

## Other investigations on N154T (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 ANC21LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA041), May 13, 2021: Piper PA-18-105 Special (N154T), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop.

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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