# NTSB DEN84LA279: Piper PA-18-150, N3574Z, Stanley, ND, June 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1984, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Stanley, ND
- Coordinates: 48.310321, -102.379318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3103&lon=-102.3793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA279

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS SPRAYING A FIELD WITH 2 POWER LINES AT THE NORTH EDGE. HE HAD BEEN MAKING PASSES UNDER THE WIRES, BUT WHERE 2 POLES WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, HE DECIDED TO FLY OVER THE WIRES. AFTER MAKING A PROCEDURE TURN BACK TOWARD THE FIELD, HE REDUCED THE POWER AS HE CROSSED OVER THE WIRES & DESCENDED, THEN REAPPLIED POWER. HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WAS TOO LATE & THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A 3-POINT ATTITUDE. AT THAT TIME, THE BELLY TANK SEPARATED, FOLDED UNDER THE AFT SECTION & DAMAGED 2 LONGERONS FORWARD OF THE TAIL SECTION. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE FLYING & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ALSO, THE TIPS OF BOTH PROP BLADES WERE CHIPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3574Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3574Z), registered now, S/N 18-7360, built 1960 (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: 18-7360
- Airframe hours: 2460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Mark Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1984
- Departed: STANLEY, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,260 total, 430 in this make and model, 930 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19840628046029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840628046029A), Jun 28, 1984: Piper PA18150, Stanley, ND, Substantial damage. Failed to arrest the high sink rate after hopping over wires. Belly tank hit and seperated. Flew back to base.

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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