# NTSB LAX86LA181: Piper PA-18-150, N82182, Colusa, CA, April 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1986, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Colusa, CA
- Coordinates: 39.269531, -122.050109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2695&lon=-122.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON A PIPELINE AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT HE ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE, SNOW SHOWERS AND FREEZING RAIN. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DEPART THE AREA THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND VIBRATE TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY FURTHER TURNS WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL. THE PILOT ELECTED TO NEGOTIATE A 'PRECAUTIONARY LANDING' IN AN OPEN AREA AND WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTIONS AND/OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N82182 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7909067
- Airframe hours: 5426
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Union Flights
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UKI, UKIAH, CA
- Destination: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 19,241 total, 10,210 in this make and model, 265 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °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 19860416012129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860416012129A), Apr 16, 1986: Piper PA18150, Colusa, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered snow and turbulence en route. Unable to turn without stalling in freezing rain. Landed in a field.

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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