# NTSB DEN83FA156: Piper PA-18-150, N6850Z, Wheatland, WY, July 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1983, 13:36 local (19:36 UTC)
- Place: Wheatland, WY
- Coordinates: 42.050292, -104.950843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0503&lon=-104.9508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA156

## 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)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadeq certification/approval,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT IT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHILE ROTATING TO THE LEFT. THE FLAPS WERE FOUND EXTENDED 25 DEG & THE AIRSPEED GAGE WAS FOUND INDICATING 55 KTS. THE T-HANDLE FOR DUMPING THE CHEMICAL LOAD WAS FOUND IN THE STOWED POSITION & HAD NOT BEEN ACTIVATED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK & BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND WITH FUEL REMAINING. FLT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED & THE THROTTLE WAS FOUND IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION. NEITHER THE PLT NOR THE OWNER POSSESSED A CERTIFICATE TO CONDUCT AERIAL APPLICATIONS. ALSO, THERE WAS NO RECORD THAT THE PLT HAD OBTAINED KNOWLEDGE & SKILL TEST, REQUIRED BY 14 CFR 137. THE PLT HAD BEEN ISSUED A 2ND CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ON 10/23/79 WITH A LIMITATION TO WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES. HOWEVER, NO GLASSES OR CONTACT LENSES WERE FOUND. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APPROX 7200 FT. REPORTEDLY, THE WINDS WERE STRONG & GUSTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6850Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6850Z), registered now, S/N 18-8133, built 1964 (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: 18-81-33
- Airframe hours: 2332
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ashen Hurst Hal L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1983, 22 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 597 total, 72 in this make and model, 447 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CYS, 45 nm away

## 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 19830702027819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830702027819A), Jul 2, 1983: Piper PA18150, Wheatland, WY, Destroyed. Near vertical impact indicates aircraft stalled prior to impact. Was spraying in area without an ag certificate.

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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