# NTSB LAX82DA157: Piper PA-18-150, N82016, Chandler, AZ, May 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1982, 09:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.320457, -111.87046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3205&lon=-111.8705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA157

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Tail gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL THE PILOT STATED THAT A GUST OF WIND OR A DUST DEVIL PICKED UP THE LEFT WING AND TURNED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND WENT INTO A SMALL PLOWED FIELD COMING TO REST IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82016](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82016), registered now, S/N 18-7909052, built 1979 (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: 18-7909052
- Airframe hours: 550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mesa Aviation
- Registered owner: Mesa Aviation
- Departed: L07, MESA, AZ
- Destination: GWO, GREENWOOD, MS
- Airport: P19, Steller Airpark, runway 17, 3,980 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 409 total, 2 in this make and model, 369 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 183 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 12 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 19820501013469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820501013469A), May 1, 1982: Piper PA18150, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot claims whirlwind caught airplane and turned it into an irrigation ditch during roll out.

## Other investigations on N82016 (3)

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 CEN26LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA020), Oct 15, 2025: Piper PA18 (N82016), Reserve, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent application of the wheel brakes after touchdown.
- [NTSB ANC12LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12LA097), Sep 2, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N82016), Coldfoot, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to reverse course.
- [NTSB LAX80FUJ90](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUJ90), Aug 6, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N82016), Mesa, AZ, 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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