# NTSB LAX82DA355: Piper PA-18, N91238, Visalia, CA, September 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1982, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Visalia, CA
- Coordinates: 36.289962, -119.38092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2900&lon=-119.3809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA355
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA355

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 28 WITH A CROSSWIND FROM THE NORTH AT 10-12 KTS.  HE REPORTED THAT DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE WIND BLEW THE AIRCRAFT TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED SOFT DIRT WHICH DIVERTED THE PLANE ONTO BUMPY GROUND. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALMOST STOPPED, IT HIT A LARGE BUMP AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N91238 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8209005
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johnston Aircraft Svc. Inc.
- Registered owner: Johnston Aircraft Svc. Inc.
- Departed: TLR, TULARE, CA
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: runway 28, 1,200 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 920 total, 40 in this make and model, 875 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 183 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS, 2 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 19820923049829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820923049829A), Sep 23, 1982: Piper PA18150, Visalia, CA, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to drift to edge of improvised landing area. Flipped over due to rough ground on touchdown.

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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