# NTSB FTW83LA168: Piper PA-18A-150, N6983D, Mountain Park, OK, March 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1983, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Mountain Park, OK
- Coordinates: 34.690826, -98.950363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6908&lon=-98.9504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF TO THE NORTH ON A HIGHWAY FOR A CROP SPRAYING OPERATION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH 720 POUNDS OF CHEMICAL AND 36 GAL OF FUEL. HE PERCEIVED A BREEZE FROM THE SOUTH BUT TOOK OFF NORTH BECAUSE OF A HILL TO THE SOUTH. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ROTATED AFTER ABOUT 1500 FEET WITH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN SIGHT. TO AVOID FLYING OVER THE TRAFFIC THE PILOT TURNED LEFT OVER A WHEAT FIELD BORDERED BY 20-30 FOOT TALL TREES. HE REALIZED HE WAS NOT MAINTAINING ALTITUDE AND BECAME CONCERNED WITH CLEARING THE TREES SO HE LOWERED THE FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES AND DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD. WHILE CONTINUING THE TURN TO AVOID THE TREES, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO CARTWHEEL TO A STOP, UPRIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT REALIZED THAT THE SOUTHERLY WIND HAD INCREASED TO ABOUT 10 MPH. AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS APRX 2229 POUNDS. ACCORDING TO THE AIRCRAFT LOG MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF IS 2070 POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6983D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6983D), registered now, S/N 18-5511, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- 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
- Serial number: 185511
- Airframe hours: 1209
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ray Quinn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 1, 1982, 36 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 36 in this make and model, 624 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 145° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830328009949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830328009949A), Mar 28, 1983: Piper PA18A150, Mountain Park, OK, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting downwind over gross takeoff from road. Wing dragged ground causing aircraft to cartwheel.

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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