# NTSB LAX82DA359: Piper PA-18, N1851A, Casa Grande, AZ, September 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1982, 21:20 local (Sep 27, 1982, 04:20 UTC)
- Place: Casa Grande, AZ
- Location: 32.8795° N, 111.7574° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Casa Grande, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8795&lon=-111.7574&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA359
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA359

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, unknown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT WITH NO NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE FLEW INTO WIRES AT NIGHT ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH A PASSENGER. VFR CONDITIONS EXISTED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1851A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1851A-1991-03-08), registration cancelled 1991-03-08, S/N 181680 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1680
- Airframe hours: 6307
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Singleton Spray Service
- Registered owner: Singleton Spray Service
- Departed: CASA GRANDE, AZ
- Destination: CASA GRANDE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 192 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820926051209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820926051209A), Sep 26, 1982: Piper PA18125, Casa Grande, AZ, Destroyed. Student pilot with a passenger struck wires on a night pleasure flight. No previous night experience.

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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