# NTSB DEN89LA099: Piper PA-18, N7523K, Devils Lake, ND, April 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1989, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Devils Lake, ND
- Coordinates: 48.110118, -98.869895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1101&lon=-98.8699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA099

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP/SWERVE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE CROSSWIND AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS LANDING ON RWY 31 WITH A WIND FROM 030 DEG AT 8 KTS, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL & THE PLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. DURING THE OCCURRENCE, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE SURFACE & THE LEFT MAIN SPAR WAS BENT. THE PLT HAD 15 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7523K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7523K), registered now, S/N 18-239, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-239
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-E 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gregory P. Eisenzimmer
- Departed: DVL
- Destination: DVL
- Airport: DVL, Devils Lake, runway 31, 5,509 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 496 total, 15 in this make and model, 439 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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