# NTSB DEN86LA021: Piper PA-18-150, N6854P, Buffalo, SD, November 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1985, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, SD
- Coordinates: 45.579319, -103.540016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5793&lon=-103.5400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA021

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, THE PLT WAS SEARCHING FOR HUNTERS WHEN THE ACFT HE WAS FLYING CONTACTED THE GROUND. WITNESSES STATED THAT BLOWING SNOW, LOW OVERCAST CLOUDS & VISIBILITY OF LESS THAN 1/2 MI PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACDNT. A BLOOD SAMPLE WAS TAKEN FROM THE PLT ABOUT 4 HRS & 45 MIN AFTER THE ACDNT. A CHECK OF THE BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.10%.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6854P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6854P-2012-07-16), registration cancelled 2012-07-16, S/N 18-7447, 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: 18-7447
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dave William Penn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1985
- Departed: BUFFALO, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,542 total, 3,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 5 °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 19851110061369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851110061369A), Nov 10, 1985: Piper PA18150, Buffalo, SD, Substantial damage. Impacted ground while maneuvering at low altitude in IFR conditions searching for lost hunters. Pilot intoxicated.

## Other investigations on N6854P (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX05FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA029), Nov 6, 2004: Piper PA-18-150 (N6854P), Mesa, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to obtain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall/spin.
- [NTSB SEA95LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA184), Aug 15, 1995: Piper PA-18-150 (N6854P), Owyhee, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS DIVERSION OF ATTENTION.

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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