# NTSB DEN87LA196: Piper PA-18-150, N7174B, Fargo, ND, July 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1987, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Coordinates: 46.869792, -96.810806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8698&lon=-96.8108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA196

## 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 weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

PLT INSTALLED NEW AERIAL APPLICATION CHEMICAL TANK. THE TANK WAS FILLED WITH WATER FOR A TEST FLIGHT. PLT COULD NOT HOLD NOSE DOWN AFTER TAKEOFF. ACFT STALLED INTO TREES AND LANDED IN FIELD BEYOND TREES. ACFT NOSED OVER AND DAMAGED FUSELAGE AND VERTICAL STABILIZER. ACFT WAS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7174B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7174B), registered now, S/N 18-5205, built 1956 (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: 185205
- Airframe hours: 2610
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Fmh Co., doing business as Aerial Applicator
- Registered owner: Fred M Hector
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: FARGO, ND
- Airport: Hector-Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 950 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 2 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 19870728040199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870728040199A), Jul 28, 1987: Piper PA18150, Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. After instalation of a new spray tank, the aircraft hit trees during takeoff. Maximum gross weight was exceeded.

## Other investigations on N7174B (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 CHI98LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA220), Jun 25, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N7174B), Fargo, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerline during a swath run. A factor associated with the accident was the powerline.

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.