# NTSB DEN86LA043: Piper PA-18-150, N6884B, Hayes, SD, November 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1985, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hayes, SD
- Coordinates: 44.370029, -101.019523 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3700&lon=-101.0195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE UPHILL LDG ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, THE ACFT CRESTED THE HILL, THEN STARTED DOWNHILL ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT BEFORE REACHING A CLIFF. THE PLT EGRESSED THE ACFT PRIOR TO IT GOING OVER THE CLIFF. A TAILWIND WAS PRESENT DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6884B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5071
- Airframe hours: 4609
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rose Spray Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1985
- Departed: SD24, HAYES, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,630 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,460 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIR, 28 nm away

## 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 19851127062199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851127062199A), Nov 27, 1985: Piper PA18150, Hayes, SD, Substantial damage. Jumped over wire looping out of snow on ski rollout. Crested hill and pilot jumped out as aircraft fell off a cliff.

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.