# NTSB FTW78DRJ17: Piper PA-18, N40520, Ferriday, LA, April 23, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 23, 1978
- Place: Ferriday, LA · FERRIDAY, LA
- Location: 31.6342° N, 91.5562° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ferriday, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6342&lon=-91.5562&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78DRJ17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRJ17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0658  78/4/23    FERRIDAY,LA         PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 17, 33 TOTAL
        TIME - 1830                    N40520              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PVT STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FERRIDAY,LA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIGH VEGETATION
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40520](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40520), registered now, S/N 18-7509121, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Pvt Strip

## 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 19780423008409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780423008409A), Apr 23, 1978: Piper PA18150, Ferriday, LA, Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N40520 (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 SEA07CA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA113), Apr 27, 2007: Piper PA-18 (N40520), Prineville, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot failing to correctly read the fuel quantity sight gauges. Factors include soft, brushy terrain, and the pilot's…
- [NTSB DEN03LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA069), Apr 20, 2003: Piper PA-18-150 (N40520), Kemmerer, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind during the landing roll which resulted in a ground loop/swerve and impact with terrain. Contributing…

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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