# NTSB DEN86LA250: Piper PA-18A-150, N8595D, Casper, WY, September 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1986, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Casper, WY
- Coordinates: 42.829311, -106.32022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8293&lon=-106.3202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA250

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE FLT, AFTER CROSSING A RIDGELINE, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFT WIND CURRENTS. THE ACFT ENTERED A DESCENT FROM WHICH THE PLT COULD NOT RECOVER. HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH DESERT TERRAIN. THE ACFT IMPACTED UNEVEN TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8595D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8595D-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 18-6257, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6257
- Airframe hours: 3696
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roy W. Haines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1986, 59 hours before
- Departed: CASPER, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 83 total, 83 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CPR, 34 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 19860912045229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860912045229A), Sep 12, 1986: Piper PA18A150, Casper, WY, Substantial damage. While flying 500 feet above ridge, aircraft encountered strong downdraft. Pilot was unable to recover from descent.

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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