# NTSB LAX82FXQ08: Piper 18-150, N2881P, Tahoe City, CA, May 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1982, 09:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Tahoe City, CA
- Location: 39.1721° N, 120.1388° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tahoe City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1721&lon=-120.1388&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FXQ08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FXQ08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHY MISSION. THE PASSENGER WANTED TO TAKE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CITY AREA. AFTER FLYING AROUND THE AREA FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON A STREET. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE STATED THAT THE PLANE WAS GOING VERY SLOW WHEN IT TURNED RIGHT AND THEN SEEM TO STALL AND GO STRAIGHT DOWN. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO ABNORMAL CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2881P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 184478
- Airframe hours: 2284
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Cal Vada Aircraft Incorporated
- Registered owner: Cal Vada Aircraft Incorporated
- Departed: TAHOE CITY, CA
- Destination: TAHOE CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 791 total, 17 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820522017969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820522017969A), May 22, 1982: Piper PA18150, Tahoe City, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flying low and slow on photo flight over residential area. Stalled, dived almost vertically to ground impact.

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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