# NTSB DFW08CA059: Piper PA-18-150, N743L, Sheffield, TX, January 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 27, 2008, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Sheffield, TX - Coordinates: 30.433332, -101.816665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4333&lon=-101.8167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67441 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67441/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in a stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot said he was herding cattle at a low altitude when he entered a steep bank, stalled and crashed. The wings and fuselage of the airplane were substantially damaged and there was a post-crash fire. The pilot received medical treatment for second degree burns to 10 percent of his body. The surface winds were 110 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles in clear skies with a temperature of 57 degrees. ## Factual narrative The non-certificated pilot said he was herding cattle at a low altitude when he entered a steep bank, stalled and crashed. The wings and fuselage of the airplane were substantially damaged and there was a post-crash fire. The pilot received medical treatment for second degree burns to 10 percent of his body. The surface winds were 110 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles in clear skies with a temperature of 57 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N743L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N743L-2009-04-08), registration cancelled 2009-04-08, S/N 18-8348, built 1965 (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: 18-8348 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: 49F, RANKIN, TX - Destination: 49F, RANKIN, TX - Airport: 9TX9, Canon Ranch Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; seat: front; flight hours: 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KFST, 64 nm away ## 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 20080127011569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080127011569A), Jan 27, 2008: Piper PA18150, Sheffield, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On January 27, 2008, while herding cattle on his ranch, the pilot [privacy data omitted] made too tight a turn very close to the ground. This resulted in… ## Other investigations on N743L (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 DEN89LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA037), Nov 27, 1988: Piper PA-18-150 (N743L), Casper, 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.