# NTSB DEN91LA070: Piper PA18-50, N2331H, Lordsburg, NM, May 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1991, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lordsburg, NM
- Coordinates: 32.339633, -108.69944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3396&lon=-108.6994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA070

## Probable cause

PILOT FACTOR IN THAT HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER AN INADVERTENT STALL MUSH AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO RECOVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT CONDUCTED A TURN AND INADVERTENTLY ENTERED A STALL MUSH AT A LOW ALTITUDE.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND BEFORE THE PILOT COULD RECOVER CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2331H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18-50
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7909169
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Union Flights
- Registered owner: Union Flights
- Departed: DMN, DEMMING, NM
- Destination: LSB, LORDSBERG, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 796 total, 277 in this make and model, 651 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910514015689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910514015689A), May 14, 1991: Piper PA18150, Lordsburg, NM, Substantial damage. Stalled in steep low level turn during pipe line patrol.

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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