# NTSB LAX83LA376: Piper PA-18-150, N7699Y, Flagstaff, AZ, August 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 11:16 local (18:16 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.230331, -111.720367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2303&lon=-111.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA376
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23814/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA376

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A PLEASURE FLT, WHEN HE WAS FLYING OVER RISING TERRAIN NORTH OF FLAGSTAFF, AZ, HE REALIZED A NEED FOR MORE ALTITUDE. HE TURNED TOWARD A DOWNHILL DIRECTION, BUT THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE TREE TOPS WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED & CLEARANCE. LATER THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED AS MISSING, A SEARCH WAS BEGUN. THE SERIOUSLY INJURED PLT & ACFT WERE FOUND THE NEXT MORNING. THE PLT HAD SCRATCHED PERSONAL NOTES TO HIS FAMILY WHICH INCLUDED A MESSAGE THAT READ 'LOW PLUS SLOW, STALLED & SPIN.' THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 9000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7699Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7699Y-1984-05-08), registration cancelled 1984-05-08, S/N 18-8313 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8313
- Airframe hours: 981
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dale Little & Norman Stewart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 6, 1983
- Departed: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 765 total, 9 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 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 19830806039419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830806039419A), Aug 6, 1983: Piper PA18150, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Stalled and spun into trees during a sightseeing flight. Was observed earlier buzzing pilot's residence.

## Other investigations on N7699Y (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 SEA68D0291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0291), Apr 6, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N7699Y), Great Falls, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA67D0081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0081), Jul 25, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N7699Y), Neihart, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA66D0142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66D0142), Oct 3, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N7699Y), Stanford, MT, 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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