# NTSB DEN92LA084: Piper PA-18-150, N4037E, Littleton, CO, August 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1992, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Littleton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.700351, -105.040634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7004&lon=-105.0406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA084

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT STALL DURING FINAL APPROACH TO LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING A BANNER TOW FLIGHT, THE PILOT ACCIDENTLY PICKED UP THE BANNER ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR INSTEAD OF THE TOW HOOK.  DURING FINAL APPROACH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH THE BANNER IN TOW, ATTACHED TO THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN AND NOSED OVER AT TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4037E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4037E), registered now, S/N 18-7809043 (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: 18-780903
- Airframe hours: 1734
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Banner Advertising
- Registered owner: Banner Advertising
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1992

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,440 total, 175 in this make and model, 5,361 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19920805030349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920805030349A), Aug 5, 1992: Piper PA18150, Littleton, CO, Substantial damage. Snagged banner on main gear attempting a pickup. While landing with banner it dragged causing stall and nose over.

## Other investigations on N4037E (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 FTW98LA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA398), Sep 13, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N4037E), Watkins, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: Gusting winds which blew the aircraft inverted during taxi.

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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