# NTSB FTW72FPG21: Piper PA-18, N9855D, West Helena, AR, August 11, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 11, 1971
- Place: West Helena, AR · WEST HELENA, AR
- Location: 34.5507° N, 90.6418° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Helena, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5507&lon=-90.6418&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72FPG21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FPG21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2996  71/8/11    WEST HELENA,ARK     PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1930                    N9855D              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   AGE 29, 1420 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            422 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BARTON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WEST HELENA,ARK             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          NONE                                                      40
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -   72                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
        REMARKS- ATMTD 90DEG X-WND LDG,WINDS 40K AND GUSTY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9855D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9855D), registered now, S/N 18-6936, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Barton

## Other investigations on N9855D (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 ANC74FAA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74FAA15), Sep 21, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N9855D), Clear, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW70F0228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0228), Sep 7, 1969: Piper PA-18 (N9855D), Barton, AR, 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.

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