# NTSB LAX02LA023: Piper PA-18-150, N9461P, Herald, CA, November 8, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 2001, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Herald, CA - Coordinates: 38.330982, -121.140365 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3310&lon=-121.1404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53751 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53751/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay initiating a go-around during a downwind approach to a short runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command - object - tree(s) - weather condition - tailwind - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane impacted trees at the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported he was practicing approaches to landings and then going around without landing. The airstrip on his ranch was 800 feet long and there was a 6-knot quartering tailwind. His third approach was too far down the runway and when he added power to go around, "The power was not there. The aircraft was mushing. I pushed the stick forward in order to get the plane to fly, but to no avail. The aircraft hit the trees at 10 [feet] above ground level." Elsewhere on the report form, in the section entitled "Mechanical Malfunction Failure" he checked the box "no." ## Factual narrative On November 8, 2001, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N9461P, was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted trees during an attempted go-around following a low approach to a private airstrip at Herald, California. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed from Lodi, California, about 1215. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. On the day of the accident, the pilot told the Safety Board investigator that the airstrip on his ranch is 800 feet long and his approach was too far down the runway, and possibly with a modest tailwind. He initiated a go-around; however, the airplane mushed into the trees at the departure end of the runway. In his written report to the Safety Board, the pilot reported that he was practicing approaches to landings and then going around without landing. There was a 6-knot quartering tailwind. On the third approach he added power to go around, and "The power was not there. The aircraft was mushing. I pushed the stick forward in order to get the plane to fly, but to no avail. The aircraft hit the trees at 10 [feet] above ground level." Elsewhere on the report form, in the section entitled "Mechanical Malfunction Failure," he checked the box "no." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9461P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9461P), registered now, S/N 18-7509133, built 1975 (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: 18-7509133 - Airframe hours: 1030 - Engines: Lycoming o-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Casey M. Long - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2001, 30 hours before - Departed: 1O3, Lodi, CA - Destination: Herald, CA - Airport: Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 5, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 750 total, 20 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: SAC, 17 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 20011108031419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011108031419A), Nov 8, 2001: Piper PA18150, Herald, CA, No damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted], PIC and sole occupant of N9461P, was practicing approach to landings on at his ranch at Herald, California. On his last approach,… ## Other investigations on N9461P (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 LAX93LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA220), May 21, 1993: Piper PA-18-150 (N9461P), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering strong and gusty cross winds during the landing flare. 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.