# NTSB LAX76AL012: Piper PA-18, N4270Z, Tacoma, WA, August 17, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 17, 1975
- Place: Tacoma, WA · TACOMA, WA
- Location: 47.2529° N, 122.4443° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tacoma, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2529&lon=-122.4443&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 150148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX76AL012
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76AL012

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2367  75/8/17    TACOMA,WA           PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 629
        TIME - 1220                    N4270Z              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 13 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SPANAWAY,WA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        REMARKS- RECOVERED FRM SOUND 9/22/75. OCCUPANTS OBS WAVING JUST PRIOR TO STEEP RT TURN & STALL
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4270Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4270Z-1981-05-15), registration cancelled 1981-05-15, S/N 18-8509, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19750817029039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750817029039A), Aug 17, 1975: Piper PA18150, Tacoma, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Recovered frm sound 9/22/75. Occupants OBS waving just prior to steep rt turn & stall

## Other investigations on N4270Z (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 SEA70F0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70F0032), May 23, 1969: Piper PA-18 (N4270Z), Esticada, OR, 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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