# NTSB FTW98LA013: Piper PA-18-150, N83454, Folsum, NM, October 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 1997, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Folsum, NM - Coordinates: 36.840938, -103.909126 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8409&lon=-103.9091&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 September 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20453 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20453/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA013 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush. A related factor was the crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis According to witnesses and an FAA inspector, who visited the crash site, the pilot was taking off to the west from a grass strip next to, and parallel to, a dirt road. The pilot said that there were 'some bumps in the grass strip and the wind was nearly a direct cross wind.' The pilot further reported that he flew the airplane to approximately 50 feet agl and 'I started to come back down and go to the north from the wind.' He stated that 'right before the ground I pulled up with the stick, but hit hard with the right wheel and wing.' The FAA inspector reported that the airplane impacted the terrain on its left side, damaging the left main gear and the left wing. The airplane came to rest inverted. Postcrash examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no fuel in the airplane; however, the airplane was on its back for two days before it was examined. The FAA inspector could not identify any anomalies with the airplane or the engine. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 1997, approximately 1330 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N83454, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during initial climb near Folsom, New Mexico. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned by Curtis & Curtis Inc. of Clovis, New Mexico, and operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to witnesses and the FAA inspector who visited the crash site, the pilot was taking off to the west from a grass strip next to, and parallel to, a dirt road. Postcrash examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that there was no fuel in the airplane; however, the airplane had been on its back for two days before it was examined. The FAA inspector could not identify any anomalies with the airplane or the engine. The pilot reported to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that there were "some bumps in the grass strip and the wind was nearly a direct cross wind." The pilot further reported that he climbed to approximately 50 feet agl and "I started to come back down and go to the north from the wind." He stated that "right before the ground I pulled up with the stick, but hit hard with the right wheel and wing." The FAA inspector reported to the IIC that the airplane impacted the terrain on its left side, damaging the left main gear and the left wing. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position. The pilot reported on his Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had a current third class medical dated 10/01/97. An investigation by the FAA Southwestern Regional Flight Surgeon revealed that the pilot's medical, dated July 28, 1995, was expired. The Regional Flight Surgeon did determine that the pilot was examined by an appointed FAA Flight Surgeon on 10/07/97. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83454](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83454), registered now, S/N 18-7609140, built 1976 (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: 18-7609140 - Airframe hours: 1501 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Patrick H. Lyons - Registered owner: Curtis & Curtis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1997, 81 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE, CUERVO, NM - Airport: (Grass Strip), runway 27, 1,400 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 571 total, 391 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19971006038099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971006038099A), Oct 6, 1997: Piper PA18150, Folsum, NM, Substantial damage. Took off crosswind on private sod strip. Lost power. Landed hard. Flipped over. Fuel tanks empty. Medical next day. (-23) pilot was taking off on dirt road on… ## Other investigations on N83454 (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 WPR13CA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA114), Feb 1, 2013: Piper PA-18-150 (N83454), Worland, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.