# NTSB FTW83LA322: Piper PA-18-150, N8999, Los Lunas, NM, July 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1983, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Los Lunas, NM
- Coordinates: 34.810947, -106.730537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8109&lon=-106.7305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA322

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - airport operations - improper, driver of vehicle (cause)
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE TOW PLANE COLLIDED WITH A VAN ON THE RWY DURING TAKEOFF. THE VAN HAD BEEN PARKED THERE ON PURPOSE BY THE ARPT OWNER TO CLOSE THE RWY. HE STATED THAT HE HAD NOTIFIED THE FAA OF THE CLOSING BUT NO NOTAM HAD BEEN ISSUED ON 7/7/83. A NOTAM WAS ISSUED FOR 7/6/83. THE ARPT OWNER REPORTEDLY DROVE THE VAN DOWN THE RWY WITH THE LIGHTS ON AND STOPPED ABOUT 1000 FT FROM THE THRESHOLD WITH THE INTENTION OF PREVENTING THE TAKEOFF. THE VAN WAS EMPTY OF OCCUPANTS WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE TOW PLANE PLT AND HIS COMPANIONS SAW THE VAN LIGHTS, BUT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WOULD CLEAR THE RUNWAY. THE TOW PLANE VISION WAS REDUCED BY A CAMERA AND PASSENGER (PHOTOGRAPHER) IN FRONT OF HIM. DURING TAKEOFF THE GLIDER PLTSAW THE VAN WOULD NOT BE CLEARED AND RELEASED HIS TOW AND LANDED ON A TAXIWAY. THE TOW PLANE DID NOT CLEAR THE VAN AND COLLISION OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8999 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8883
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Etchison G. Lill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983
- Airport: E98, Mid Valley, runway 17, 4,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 25 nm away

## 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 19830707030929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830707030929A), Jul 7, 1983: Piper PA18150, Los Lunas, NM, Substantial damage. Collided with airport van during glider tow. Runway was closed. Pilots view obscured by camerman in front seat.

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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