# NTSB DEN88LA154: Piper PA-18, N6083A, Cody, WY, July 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1988, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.509429, -109.050559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5094&lon=-109.0506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - safety advisory - not issued, ground personnel (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ON A RANCH ROAD WHILE ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT THE PLT STRUCK A PILE OF GRAVEL PLACED ON THE ROAD TO FACILITATE ROAD REPAIRS. THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE VERTICAL STABILIZER, HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, PROPELLER AND WING TIPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6083A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6083A), registered now, S/N 18-8009048, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8009048
- Airframe hours: 837
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hunt Oil Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1987, 25 hours before
- Departed: COD, CODY, WY
- Airport: Ranch Road

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °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 19880712026439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880712026439A), Jul 12, 1988: Piper PA18150, Cody, WY, Substantial damage. Struck a gravel pile and flipped over while landing on a farm road. Landing into the sun, failed to see obstacle.

## Other investigations on N6083A (3)

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 DEN06CA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA073), May 7, 2006: Piper PA-18-150 (N6083A), Cody, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a parked vehicle during the approach to land on a dirt road. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper decision to land near an unsuitable landing…
- [NTSB DEN84LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA228), Jul 20, 1984: Piper PA-18-150 (N6083A), Meeteetse, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN80FTC17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTC17), May 23, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N6083A), Cheyenne, WY, substantial 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.

---
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.