# NTSB DEN93LA056: Piper PA-18-150, N4069Z, Albuquerque, NM, November 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1992, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.1449° N, 106.7952° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DOUBLE EAGLE II (AEG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1449&lon=-106.7952&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA056

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CFI (CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR) WAS GIVING THE PRIVATE PILOT A CHECKOUT IN A TAIL WHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE.  THE CFI REPORTED WINDS AS LIGHT AND VARIABLE WHILE THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THEY WERE FROM 160 DEGREES GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS.  THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS PROCEEDED BY SEVERAL GOOD LANDINGS, BUT THAT DURING THE ACCIDENT LANDING, THE PILOT USED RUDDER PEDALS EXCESSIVELY.  THE PILOT STATED THAT WIND CAUSED A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THAT AFTER ALIGNING THE AIRPLANE ON CENTERLINE, THE CFI INSTRUCTED HIM TO LOCK THE BRAKES.  THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE RUNWAY.  THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED UNTIL 05/11/93.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4069Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4069Z), registered now, S/N 18-8079 (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: 18-8079
- Airframe hours: 7213
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Double Eagle Aviation, doing business as Flying Z Aviation
- Registered owner: Permian Elevator, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1992
- Departed: AEG
- Destination: AEG
- Airport: AEG, Double Eagle II, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 561 total, 20 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19921108056619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921108056619A), Nov 8, 1992: Piper PA18150, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Student lost direction control landing. CFI told student to hit brake. He did swerved dragged wing. Groundlooped.

## Other investigations on N4069Z (2)

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 DEN00LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA056), Mar 12, 2000: Piper PA-18-150 (N4069Z), Belen, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to low cylinder compression from an open exhaust valve, and the pilot's failure to lean the fuel mixture.
- [NTSB DEN75DTC22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75DTC22), May 9, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N4069Z), Shell, WY, substantial damage

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.