# NTSB GAA20CA008: Piper PA18, N4138Z, Big Flats, NY, October 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2019, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Big Flats, NY - Coordinates: 42.117221, -76.918334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1172&lon=-76.9183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100404 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100404/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100404 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA008 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flight planning and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before takeoff from an off-airport grass field, he consulted his mentor on best practices to takeoff and avoid obstacles. During the takeoff roll, he realized that the planned flightpath was "risky," so he "made a ground track deviation." Subsequently, the left wing struck a guy wire and folded back, and the right wing struck another guy wire. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, prior to takeoff on an off-airport grass field, he consulted his mentor on best practices to takeoff and avoid obstacles. During the takeoff roll, he realized that the planned flight path was "risky", so he "made a ground track deviation." The left wing struck a guy wire, folded back, and the right wing struck another guy wire. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4138Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4138Z), registered now, S/N 18-8210 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (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: 18-8210 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 7699.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Harris Hill Soaring Corp - Registered owner: Harris Hill Soaring Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2019 - Departed: Big Flats, NY - Destination: 4NY8, Elmira, NY - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 697 total, 44 in this make and model, 519 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KELM, 3 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 20191010018949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191010018949A), Oct 10, 2019: Piper PA-18-150, Big Flats, NY, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] Piloted N4138Z, a super cub, from a field in Big Flats NY. His attempt at taking off from this field resulted in crashing into guy wires… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100404. 773 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8680979&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_GAA20CA008_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.