# NTSB DEN92LA003: Piper PA-18-150, N4488Z, Telluride, CO, October 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1991, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Telluride, CO
- Coordinates: 37.939998, -107.900047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9400&lon=-107.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA003

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AT A HEIGHT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WHICH WAS INADEQUATE FOR RECOVERY FROM AN ENCOUNTER WITH DOWN DRAFTS.  A FACTOR WAS: DOWN DRAFT ENCOUNTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CIRCLING AT APPROXIMATELY 12,500 FEET MSL AND APPROXIMATELY 400 FEET AGL.  DOWNDRAFTS WERE ENCOUNTERED AND THE PILOT COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A MEADOW.  DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4488Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4488Z), registered now, S/N 18-8843, built 1969 (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: 18-8843
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Christopher Carroll
- Departed: MTJ, MONTROSE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,429 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,731 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19911013046109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911013046109A), Oct 13, 1991: Piper PA18150, Telluride, CO, Substantial damage. Adverse winds circling in a bowl. Unable to climb out. Elected to land. Shifting wind caused aircraft to nose over.

## Other investigations on N4488Z (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 ANC23LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA039), May 29, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N4488Z), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a water loop and impact with terrain.

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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