# NTSB DEN85LA059: Piper PA-18-150, N3575Z, Rawlins, WY, January 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1985, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Rawlins, WY
- Coordinates: 41.779518, -107.219764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7795&lon=-107.2198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,magneto - worn (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST ENG PWR AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING AN OFF ARPT ENERGENCY LANDING. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO LOOK FOR COYOTES. THE POST ACCIDENT ENG EXAM REVEALED THAT 9 CONSECUTIVE TEETH ON THE LEFT MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR WERE GROUND OFF. THIS ALLOWED THE SPARK PLUGS ENERGIZED BY THE LEFT MAGNETO TO FIRE OR SPARK OUT OF PROPER SEQUENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3575Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3575Z), registered now, S/N 18-7364 (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: 18-7364
- Airframe hours: 2186
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary Loose
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °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 19850104001159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850104001159A), Jan 4, 1985: Piper PA18150, Rawlins, WY, Substantial damage. Engine RPM dropped. Emergency landing in field. Teeth of magneto drive broken.

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.