# NTSB DEN85LA049: Piper PA-18, N1212A, Cody, WY, December 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1984, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.510433, -109.049011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5104&lon=-109.0490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT HAD THE ACFT OWNER'S (EMPLOYER) PERMISSION TO USE THE ACFT FOR SOLO PRACTICE TOWARD OBTAINING HIS PRIVATE PLT CERTIFICATE. PLT WAS RANCH EMPLOYEE AND KNEW ONE RANCH MANAGER WOULD BE LOOKING FOR SHEEP, PLT DIVERTED FROM INSTRUCTOR'S RECOMMENDATION TO PRACTICE TAKE-OFFS AND LANDINGS & FLEW TO AREA OF SEARCH. USING ACFT'S ON BOARD LOUDSPEAKER. PLT FLEW OVER MANAGER'S VEHICLE BROADCASTING ANNOUNCEMENT. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER, ACFT AGAIN FLEW OVER VEHICLE, PLT MADE UNINTELLIGIBLE BROADCAST AND DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. MANAGER HEARD IMPACT SOUNDS. ACFT HAD COLLIDED WITH RIDGE. PLT RECALLED BEING IN A TURN AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1212A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1212A-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 18-825, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-825
- Airframe hours: 2485
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Grabbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1984
- Departed: GEY, GREYBULL, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 63 total, 50 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days

## 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 19841225068349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841225068349A), Dec 25, 1984: Piper PA18125, Cody, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot buzzing person on ground struck low hills during a turn.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.