# NTSB LAX86FA297: Piper PA-18-150, N83380, Corona, CA, July 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 19:30 local (Jul 21, 1986, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA297

## 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
  - airport facilities,wind direction indicator - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED TO FIRE PERSONNEL THAT AS HE APPROACHED TOUCHDOWN, THE SUN GOT IN HIS EYES AND A CROSS WIND PUSHED HIM OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD ON THE RIGHT WHEEL, VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, CARTWHEELED DOWN THE SIDE OF A HILL AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER COMING TO REST. THE AIRSTRIP IS ON TOP OF A RIDGE WITH 30 DEG SLOPES AT THE EDGES OF THE RWY. AS CALCULATED, THE SUN WAS 5 DEG ABOVE THE HORIZON AND ABOUT 21 DEG RIGHT OF HIS CENTER VISION REFERENCE POINT. FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL SAID THE WINDS WERE ABOUT 45 DEGREES LEFT OF THE RUNWAY HEADING AT ABOUT 17 KTS WITH PEAK GUSTS OF 30 KTS. THE FACTORY FLIGHT TESTED MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CROSS WIND CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT IS 13 KTS. THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP HAS NO WIND DIRECTION OR SPEED INDICATORS ON THE FACILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83380](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83380-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 18-7609108, built 1976 (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: 1807609108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Bradford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1986
- Departed: L16, HUNTINGTONBEACH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,300 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 6 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 19860720034279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720034279A), Jul 20, 1986: Piper STCPA18, Corona, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft landed hard and veered off the runway. Fire destroyed aircraft. Suspect sun obscured pilots vision.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.