# NTSB LAX81DXQ34: Piper PA-18, N333CP, Lee Vining, CA, September 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 1, 1981
- Place: Lee Vining, CA · LEE VINING, CA
- Location: 37.9564° N, 119.1223° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lee Vining, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9564&lon=-119.1223&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DXQ34
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DXQ34

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2305   81/9/1    LEE VINING,CA       PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 19, 96 TOTAL
        TIME - 1500                    N333CP              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 40 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LEE VINING,CA               MAMMOTH, CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: PASSENGER
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  PHYSICAL CONDITION OF PASSENGER
        REMARKS- PAX BCM SICK,LNDD ON SHORE OF MONO LAKE.MUDDY SHORE LOOKED LIKE HARD PACKED EARTH FM AIR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N333CP), registered now, S/N 18-7709189 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810901054659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810901054659A), Sep 1, 1981: Piper PA18, Lee Vining, CA, Substantial damage. Passenger got sick and pilot attempted landing on lake shore. Wheels entered soft terrain. Plane flipped inverted.

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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