# NTSB DEN89LA025: Piper PA-18-150, N4026Z, Tucumcari, NM, October 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1988, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Tucumcari, NM
- Coordinates: 35.160167, -103.71997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1602&lon=-103.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS FLYING A FRIEND OVER HIS RANCH SEARCHING FOR COWS. THE PLT REPORTED MAKING A 40 DEG LEFT BANKED TURN AT 300 FT AGL AT FULL POWER AND 70 KNOTS. HE SAID THAT THE PLANE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO AILERON CONTROL INPUTS INITIALLY. THE PLT SAID THE PLANE MAY HAVE STALLED. THERE IS NO STALL WARNING DEVICE ON THIS PLANE. THE ACFT LOST ALTITUDE AND THE PLT SAW A 60 FT BLUFF IN THE FLIGHT PATH. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE ACFT AT 20 FT AGL AND LANDED IN ROCKS AND SHORT TREES STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE ACFT CAME TO REST 100 FT FROM IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4026Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7981
- Airframe hours: 3092
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald E. Floeck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: E89, CONCHAS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,145 total, 263 in this make and model, 1,025 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19881030048809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881030048809A), Oct 30, 1988: Piper PA18150, Tucumcari, NM, Substantial damage. Looking for cows,made a steep turn at 300 feet AGL and stalled. Recovered but made hard impact to avoid rock wall.

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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