# NTSB FTW95LA143: Piper PA-18, N99MP, Gail, TX, March 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1995, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Gail, TX
- Coordinates: 32.769107, -101.449592 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7691&lon=-101.4496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA143

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AT LOW ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE GUSTY WINDS AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR MANEUVERING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high wind
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN WHILE EXECUTING A RIGHT TURN AT LOW ALTITUDE WHILE ON A PREDATOR CONTROL FLIGHT TO ERADICATE COYOTES FROM A SHEEP RANCH. THE WINDS IN THE AREA WERE REPORTED TO BE GUSTING TO 40 KNOTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE LEFT WING 'CAME UP' AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On March 21, 1995, approximately 0930 central standard time, a Piper PA-18, N99MP, impacted terrain following a loss of control near Gail, Texas.  The commercial pilot and his passenger sustained serious injuries.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the predator control flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, the flight departed the sheep ranch's airstrip at approximately 0745 hours on a predator control flight to shoot coyotes.  The flight was conducted at approximately 200 feet AGL, with the passenger functioning as a gunner.  At the time of the accident, the winds in the vicinity of the accident were reported gusting up to 40 knots.

The pilot added that the airplane was in a right turn, while he was keeping a coyote in sight, when the left wing "must have been caught in a thermal."  He further added that he "pushed the nose over, gave it full aileron and used the rudder to bring the plane level."  He then "pulled all the way back on the stick but the ground was too close."

The wreckage was found at approximately 1045 after local authorities received a 911 telephone call from the pilot who had walked from the isolated wreckage site to a roadway to get assistance.  Both the pilot and his passenger sustained head injuries.  There were no reported eyewitnesses to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N99MP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 5193
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis, Joel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1995, 15 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 390 total, 141 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19950321004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950321004859A), Mar 21, 1995: Piper PA18150, Gail, TX, Destroyed. Predator control flight hunting coyotes. Severe gusty wind raised wing at low altitude unable recover. Hit ground.

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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