# NTSB FTW82FQG16: Piper PA-18-150, N82622, Near Sterling C, TX, March 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1982, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Sterling C, TX
- Coordinates: 31.830457, -100.979827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8305&lon=-100.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQG16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQG16

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED HIS RANCH STRIP REPORTEDLY TO CHECK ON CATTLE. THE PLANE CRASHED ON ROLLING TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT BANK ATTITUDE AND BURNED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE AIRCRAFT MOVED AFTER IMPACT. BOTH PROPELLER BLADES WERE TWISTED AND BENT. NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND CONCERNING THE AIRCRAFT'S STRUCTURE, CONTROLS, OR POWER PLANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82622](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82622-1983-02-16), registration cancelled 1983-02-16, S/N 18-7909020 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187909020
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Foster Ranches
- Registered owner: Foster Ranches
- Departed: FOSTER RANCH, TX
- Destination: FOSTER RANCH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 140 °F

## 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 19820317004549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820317004549A), Mar 17, 1982: Piper PA18150, Sterling City, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft was found crashed and burned. Pilot was checking cattle on his ranch when crash occurred.

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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