# NTSB DEN89LA094: Piper PA-18-150, N4273Z, Great Falls, MT, March 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1989, 12:01 local (19:01 UTC)
- Place: Great Falls, MT
- Location: 47.4823° N, 111.3703° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GREAT FALLS INTL (GTF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4823&lon=-111.3703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA094

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMPENSATE ADEQUATELY FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND LANDING DESPITE HAVING BEEN ALERTED TO WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather observation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER LANDING ON RUNWAY 21, HE WAS CLEARED TO TAXI DOWN THE ACTIVE RUNWAY UNTIL REACHING A TAXIWAY. WHILE TAXIING DOWN THE RUNWAY, THE RIGHT WING LIFTED UP AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT AND IT FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE 20 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 26 KNOTS. THE FAA CONTROL TOWER HAD ADVISED THE PLT OF CURRENT WIND INFO AT INITIAL CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4273Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4273Z), registered now, S/N 18-8520, built 1967 (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: 18-8520
- Airframe hours: 2196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: D-O Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1988
- Departed: 6S8, LAUREL, MT
- Destination: GTF
- Airport: GTF, Great Falls International, runway 21, 10,502 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 182 total, 82 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 20 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GTF

## 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 19890325009729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890325009729A), Mar 25, 1989: Piper PA18150, Great Falls, MT, Substantial damage. Blown over by strong surface wind while taxiing to ramp after landing.

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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