# NTSB FTW89LA110: Piper PA-18-150, N3937Z, Midland, TX, June 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1989, 08:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Location: 31.9425° N, 102.2019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MIDLAND INTL AIR AND SPACE PORT (MAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA110

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  THE HIGH, GUSTY, CROSSWIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER ADVANCING POWER FOR TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE & WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE PLT SAID THE WIND BLEW THE ACFT SIDEWAYS, THEN IT NOSED INTO THE GROUND & FLIPPED OVER. THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 120 DEG AT 22 GUSTING 28 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3937Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3937Z), registered now, S/N 18-7783, built 1962 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7783
- Airframe hours: 1808
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Baggett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1989, 56 hours before
- Departed: MAF
- Destination: OZA, OZONA, TX
- Airport: MAF, Midland Intl, runway 16R, 9,501 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 507 total, 12 in this make and model, 422 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 22 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF

## 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 19890609015859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890609015859A), Jun 9, 1989: Piper PA18150, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control and overturned attempting to takeoff in severe gusty surface wind.

## Other investigations on N3937Z (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 FTW82FPJ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPJ16), Jul 21, 1982: Piper 18 (N3937Z), Gage, OK, substantial damage

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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