# NTSB DEN91LA008: Piper PA-18-150, N5523Z, Englewood, CO, October 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1990, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.580387, -104.860099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5804&lon=-104.8601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA008

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT MADE A LANDING ON RUNWAY 28. DURING LANDING ROLL, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. THE PLANE STRUCK A FOUR FOOT EMBANKMENT AND TORE THE LEFT WING LOOSE AT THE ROOT. THE LEFT WING SPAR WAS BENT, THE FUSELAGE TWISTED, AND THE CABIN TOP CRUSHED. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT A GUST STRUCK THE AIRCRAFT HOWEVER, THE WEATHER OBSERVATION DID NOT RECORD ANY GUSTS DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE. THE CROSSWIND COMPONENT WAS COMPUTED TO BE 8 KNOTS, WELL WITHIN THE CAPABILITIES OF 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - uphill

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5523Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5523Z-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 18-7846, built 1962 (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: 18-7846
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald M. Lewark
- Departed: 3V4, FT. MORGAN, CO
- Destination: APA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 28, 4,903 × 62 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 59 total, 59 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: APA, 1 nm away

## 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 19901016046369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901016046369A), Oct 16, 1990: Piper PA18150, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Exited runway. Tore left wing loose at root on 4FT embankment. Light crosswind.

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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