# NTSB DEN91LA075: Piper PA-18-180, N3182Z, Elbert, CO, May 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1991, 13:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Elbert, CO
- Coordinates: 39.220542, -104.530563 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2205&lon=-104.5306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN COMPENSATING FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  FACTORS WERE: HIGH WINDS AND A CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD RELEASED A GLIDER AND HAD RETURNED TO THE AIRSTRIP.  AS HE FLARED FOR A FULL STALL LANDING, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING. FULL LEFT AILERON FAILED TO STOP THE UPWARD MOVEMENT AND THE RIGHT WING SCRAPED THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, WENT UP ON ITS NOSE, PIVOTED, AND FELL ON ITS BACK.  THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE SOUTH SOUTHEAST AT 30 TO 40 MPH, GUSTING TO OVER 45 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3182Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3182Z), registered now, S/N 18-7173, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-180
- 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: 18-7173
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Soar Black Forest
- Airport: C015, Black Forest Glider Port, runway 17, 3,700 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 655 total, 114 in this make and model, 586 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910519016389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910519016389A), May 19, 1991: Piper PA18180, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. Returning from glider tow. Gust raised wing on flare. Used full opposite aileron but dragged wing. Went up on nose.

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.