# NTSB DEN83LA052: Piper PA-18-150, N9672P, Mount Pleasant, UT, January 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1983, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Mount Pleasant, UT
- Coordinates: 39.545951, -111.4558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5460&lon=-111.4558&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA052

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING SALT LAKE CITY, UT, THE PILOT OBTAINED INFORMATION ABOUT THE WEATHER AND DESTINATION AIRPORT AT MT PLEASANT, UT. THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED VFR AND THE MT PLEASANT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT WAS REPORTED OPEN. DURING ARRIVAL, THE PILOT OBSERVED FURROWS OF PLOWED SNOW ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RUNWAY AND SAW WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A LIGHT COVERING OF NEW SNOW ON THE FURROWS AND RUNWAY. HOWEVER, THE SNOW ON THE RUNWAY WAS 6 INCHES THICK AND COVERED WITH A CRUST OF ICE. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PLANE CONTINUED NORMALLY FOR 75 TO 100 FT, THEN THE MAIN WHEELS BROKE THROUGH THE CRUST AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPORT WAS UNMANAGED AND NO OFFICIAL OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED THERE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THEREFORE, NO NOTICE OF THE FIELD CONDITION WAS GIVEN TO THE FSS. SINCE THE FSS WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXTENT OF THE SNOW COVERING, NO NOTAM WAS ISSUED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9672P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9672P-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N 187509015 (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: 187509015
- Airframe hours: 814
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. Browning
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1983, 2 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: MT PLEASANT, UT
- Airport: 43U, Mt. Pleasant, runway 20, 4,260 × 75 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,306 total, 709 in this make and model, 1,243 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830119001269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830119001269A), Jan 19, 1983: Piper PA18150, Mount Pleasant, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted landing on runway that had 6 inch crusted snow cover. Field was closed, but NOTAM not issued.

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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