# NTSB DEN87LA166: Piper PA-18-150, N9406P, Las Vegas, NM, July 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1987, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NM
- Coordinates: 35.590461, -105.220932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5905&lon=-105.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A DEPARTURE STALL AFTER TAKE OFF. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE PLT ATTEMPTED A STEEP TURN IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO STALL. THE LEFT WING WENT DOWN AND THE ACFT BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT ENDING IN A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9406P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9406P), registered now, S/N 18-8998, built 1972 (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: 18-8998
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon Hays
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1987, 20 hours before
- Airport: LVS, Las Vegas, runway 2, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,148 total, 756 in this make and model, 758 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LSV

## 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 19870704032379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870704032379A), Jul 4, 1987: Piper PA18150, Las Vegas, NM, Substantial damage. Attempted a 180 degree turn after takeoff. Stalled during turn. Uncontrolled descent. Impacted with the terrain.

## Other investigations on N9406P (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 LAX73DUG40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUG40), Feb 23, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N9406P), Elsinore, CA, minor damage

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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