# NTSB FTW78FPA33: Piper PA-18, N9720P, Caddo Mills, TX, August 13, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 13, 1978
- Place: Caddo Mills, TX · CADDO MILLS, TX
- Location: 33.0469° N, 96.2322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Caddo Mills, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0469&lon=-96.2322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 1, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FPA33
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPA33

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3207  78/8/13    CADDO MILLS,TX      PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1300                    N9720P              PX-  0  0  0  TOWING GLIDERS            AGE 21, 1034 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            48 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CADDO MILLS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CADDO MILLS,TX              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT QUARTERING HEAD WIND 293-337 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           90                                                      150
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           10                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9720P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9720P), registered now, S/N 18-7509137, 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: Caddo Mills

## 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 19780813033739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780813033739A), Aug 13, 1978: Piper PA18S125, Caddo Mills, TX, Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N9720P (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 ANC15LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA005), Nov 27, 2014: Piper PA 18-150 (N9720P), Nikiski, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat while operating at low-power settings in an area conducive to carburetor icing.

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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