# NTSB DEN88FA062: Piper PA-18-125, N1153A, Brighton, CO, February 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1988, 17:50 local (Feb 4, 1988, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.949821, -104.790367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9498&lon=-104.7904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO 'BUZZ' THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO. WITNESSES STATED THAT N1153A FLEW OVER HOUSES AND BUILDINGS AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO A HIGH ALTITUDE, DO A 'WING OVER' OR 'HAMMERHEAD' MANUEVER, THEN DESCEND IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE DOWN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT REMAINED IN THAT ATTITUDE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. THE STUDENT HAD WRITTEN A LTR TO A GIRLFRIEND EXPRESSING HIS 'UNBELIEVABLE TALENT FOR FLYING.' THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 18 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1153A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1153A), registered now, S/N 18-747, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-747
- Airframe hours: 2031
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. Kelly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1987, 27 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880203001819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880203001819A), Feb 3, 1988: Piper PA18125, Brighton, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. After buzzing area, pilot dived aircraft vertically into gound impact. Left note, was unhappy with life.

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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