# NTSB DEN87FA081: Piper PA-22-150, N3809P, Morgan, UT, April 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1987, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Morgan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.01025, -111.670623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0102&lon=-111.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA081

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED MORGAN ARPT WITH AN ACFT NEAR GROSS WEIGHT, IN A RELATIVELY STRONG CROSS WIND. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 100 AGL, HE SAID HE ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TURBULENCE AND A DOWNDRAFT. ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 21.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3809P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3809P-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 22-3498, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3498
- Airframe hours: 2378
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Compton
- Registered owner: John D. Compton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 24, 1986, 7 hours before
- Departed: 42U, MORGAN CITY, UT
- Airport: 42U, Morgan Municipal, runway 21, 3,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,150 total, 350 in this make and model, 5,080 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870403008429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870403008429A), Apr 3, 1987: Piper PA22150, Morgan, UT, Destroyed. The aircraft encountered wind shear after takeoff, stalled and hit the ground. Gross weight near maximum.

## Other investigations on N3809P (1)

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 CHI75FEK31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEK31), Jun 22, 1975: Piper PA-22 (N3809P), Mt Vernon, OH, destroyed

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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