# NTSB DEN89LA114: Piper PA-18-150, N9858D, Bozeman, MT, May 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1989, 16:07 local (22:07 UTC)
- Place: Bozeman, MT
- Coordinates: 45.770992, -110.929252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7710&lon=-110.9293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA114

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH LED TO HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: USE OF AN UNFAVORABLE RUNWAY, CROSSWIND, AND GUSTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WHEN HE ARRIVED IN THE AREA OF THE ARPT, HE CONTACTED THE FLT SVC STATION (FSS) & WAS ADVISED THAT RWY 30 (A 9002' ASPHALT RWY) WAS ACTIVE & THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 210 DEG AT 10, GUSTING 15 KTS. THE ARPT ALSO HAD A TURF RWY (RWY 3/21) WHICH WAS 3400' LONG. THE PLT STATED THAT DRG TOUCHED DOWN ON RWY 30, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE APPLIED POWER, BUT THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED. SHORTLY AFTER COMING TO REST, IT BEGAN BURNING & WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9858D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9858D), registered now, S/N 18-7026, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7026
- Airframe hours: 2911
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marlar, Charles H.
- Registered owner: Marlar, Charles
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Destination: MSO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BZN, Gallatin Field, runway 30, 9,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BZM

## 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 19890503010729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890503010729A), May 3, 1989: Piper PA18A150, Bozeman, MT, Destroyed. Wind lifted a wing on touchdown in crosswind. Aircraft cartwheeled. Pilot could have requested runway into wind.

## Other investigations on N9858D (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 FTW68D0141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0141), Jul 24, 1967: Piper PA-18A (N9858D), Lewisville, AR, 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.