# NTSB ERA09CA245: Piper PA-18-150, N1982P, Tampa, FL, April 11, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 11, 2009, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 27.971944, -82.525001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9719&lon=-82.5250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73660/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73660
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA245

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to confirm that the landing gear was retracted prior to the attempted water landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md)
- [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Prior to departing on the cross-country flight, the pilot received a jump-start for his amphibious airplane due to a dead battery. The pilot then immediately taxied to the runway and departed. Once airborne, he moved the landing gear handle to the "Up" position, but did not confirm that the gear had successfully retracted. He climbed to 300 feet above mean sea level (msl) before turning and descending over the water to 120 feet msl, with the intention of making a low pass in front of his waterfront home. The airplane encountered "a gust of wind," and lost approximately 40 feet of altitude. The pilot decided to abort the low pass, and advanced the throttle to full power. He was not satisfied with the response of the engine and decided to make an emergency landing on the water. Upon touchdown, the airplane flipped over, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot escaped underwater and received minor injuries. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was in the extended position, and the gear handle was in the "Up" position. All electrical wiring was found to be intact, and no other mechanical issues were found. A certificated aircraft mechanic, familiar with the accident airplane, stated that when the landing gear cycle was initiated, the motor momentarily drew a very high current. He stated that if the battery was dead, or contained a low charge, the generator would "probably not" be able to handle the high current demand, and would not permit the landing gear to cycle. The pilot did not notice any other mechanical or electrical problems with the airplane during the flight.

## Factual narrative

Prior to departing on the cross-country flight, the pilot received a jump-start for his amphibious airplane due to a dead battery. The pilot then immediately taxied to the runway and departed. Once airborne, he moved the landing gear handle to the "Up" position, but did not confirm that the gear had successfully retracted. He climbed to 300 feet above mean sea level (msl) before turning and descending over the water to 120 feet msl, with the intention of making a low pass in front of his waterfront home. The airplane encountered "a gust of wind," and lost approximately 40 feet of altitude. The pilot decided to abort the low pass, and advanced the throttle to full power. He was not satisfied with the response of the engine and decided to make an emergency landing on the water. Upon touchdown, the airplane flipped over, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot escaped underwater and received minor injuries. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was in the extended position, and the gear handle was in the "Up" position. All electrical wiring was found to be intact, and no other mechanical issues were found. A certificated aircraft mechanic, familiar with the accident airplane, stated that when the landing gear cycle was initiated, the motor momentarily drew a very high current. He stated that if the battery was dead, or contained a low charge, the generator would "probably not" be able to handle the high current demand, and would not permit the landing gear to cycle. The pilot did not notice any other mechanical or electrical problems with the airplane during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1982P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1982P-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 18-4217, built 1955 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4217
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 2009, 2 hours before
- Departed: TPA, Tampa, FL
- Destination: TPF, Tampa, FL
- Airport: TPF, Peter O'Knight Airport, runway 36, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: TPF, 4 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 20090411007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090411007799A), Apr 11, 2009: Piper PA18150, Tampa, FL, Destroyed. (-23) N1982P, a single engine Piper super club was on a day VFR pleasure flight departing from the Peter o. Knight airport. The pilots intent was to make low…

## Other investigations on N1982P (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 UNK64X2581](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2581), Jun 30, 1964: Piper PA18A (N1982P), Marion, NY, substantial damage

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73660. 927 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 562 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF
- Mechanic Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Examination Summary (item 4, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Examination%20Summary-Redacted.PDF
- Airplane Logbook Entries (item 5, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Logbook%20Entries-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Information (item 6, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF
- Wreckage Photos Courtesy FAA (item 7, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Photos%20Courtesy%20FAA-Master.PDF

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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