# NTSB DEN84LA053: Piper PA-18A 150, N3401W, Herreid, SD, December 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1983, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Herreid, SD
- Coordinates: 45.830627, -100.069152 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8306&lon=-100.0692&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): 16309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16309/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT RAN INTO A CREEK BED DURING AN OFF ARPT LANDING AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL HUNT OF COYOTES. AFTER SHOOTING ONE HE SOUGHT A PLACE TO LAND TO PICK UP THE CARCASS AND STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE INSPECTED THE AREA FROM THE AIR HE APPARENTLY DID NOT SEE THE CREEK BED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3401W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3401W), registered now, S/N 18-4064, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A 150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4064
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lloyd Harmon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 15, 1982, 78 hours before
- Departed: SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,673 total, 21 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 19831201063479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831201063479A), Dec 1, 1983: Piper PA18A150, Herreid, SD, Substantial damage. Collided with a creek bed while landing on the prairie to retrieve a coyote carcass.

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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