# NTSB DEN89LA037: Piper PA-18-150, N743L, Casper, WY, November 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1988, 11:58 local (18:58 UTC)
- Place: Casper, WY
- Location: 42.8421° N, 106.3213° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Casper, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8421&lon=-106.3213&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF TO THE WEST ON A COUNTY GRAVEL ROAD. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD ROUTINELY USED THE GRAVEL ROAD FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF ITS CONVENIENCE TO HIS HANGAR/TOOL SHED. HE REPORTED THE WINDS WERE FROM 210 DEG AT 15 KTS. DURING THE GROUND RUN, THE RT MAIN GEAR ENTERED A DITCH AND THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED TO THE RT. THE RT MAIN GEAR FOLDED AND THE RT WING, FUSELAGE, AND ELEVATOR WERE BENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N743L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N743L-2009-04-08), registration cancelled 2009-04-08, S/N 18-8348, built 1965 (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: 18-8348
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lindsey And Sons Ranch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 785 total, 355 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F

## 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 19881127051959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881127051959A), Nov 27, 1988: Piper PA18150, Casper, WY, Substantial damage. Tried to depart a gravel road. Lost control in strong crosswind. Ran off into a ditch and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N743L (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 DFW08CA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA059), Jan 27, 2008: Piper PA-18-150 (N743L), Sheffield, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in a stall.

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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