# NTSB DEN83LA093: Piper PA-18-150, N3944Z, Powers Lake, ND, April 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1983, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Powers Lake, ND
- Coordinates: 48.560844, -102.640953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5608&lon=-102.6410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS LANDING ON A ROAD NEAR A FRIEND'S HOUSE WHEN THE LEFT WING HIT A STEELPOST AND CAUSED THE ACFT TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER IN THE DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3944Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3944Z), registered now, S/N 18-7801, built 1962 (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: 18-7801
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John P. Mccarty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LEEDS, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830402016069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830402016069A), Apr 2, 1983: Piper PA18150, Powers Lake, ND, Substantial damage. A wing struck a steel post while landing on a road near pilots girl friends house. Aircraft flipped over in a ditch

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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