# NTSB DEN83FA222: Piper PA-18-150, N3770P, Encampment, WY, September 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1983, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Encampment, WY
- Coordinates: 41.199077, -106.790908 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1991&lon=-106.7909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - diverted attention, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - delayed, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A LOW PASS WAS MADE OVER A FISHING POND SO THE FRONT SEAT PLT COULD WAVE AT HIS FATHER. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S FATHER, THE PASS WAS BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE TREE TOPS. IN ATTEMPTING TO PULL UP SHARPLY TO AVOID THE TREES, THE ACFT WAS BANKED STEEPLY AND STALLED. THE ACFT THEN HIT AN UNOCCUPPIED HOUSE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE REAR SEAT PLT WAS THE OWNER-OPERATOR OF THE ACFT. THE FRONT SEAT PLT HAD ABOUT 2200 HRS TOTAL FLT TIME & A 'CONSIDERABLE AMOUT OF TIME' IN A PA-18-150 SINCE HE WAS A FORMER ALASKA BUSH PLT. THE FRONT SEAT PLT IS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN AT THE CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3770P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3770P-1995-03-28), registration cancelled 1995-03-28, S/N 184654 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4654
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Gene Pennock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SAA, SARATOGA, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWL, 48 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 19830924074089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830924074089A), Sep 24, 1983: Piper PA18150, Encampment, WY, Destroyed. Pilot made low pass over witness and aircraft hit a house. Crashed and burned.

## Other investigations on N3770P (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 DEN68D0046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68D0046), Jul 20, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N3770P), Midwest, 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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