# NTSB LAX86LA274: Piper PA-18-150, N2406J, Ukiah, CA, June 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1986, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Ukiah, CA
- Coordinates: 39.119209, -123.279876 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1192&lon=-123.2799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA274

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-18-150 ENCOUNTERED TURBULENT WIND CONDITIONS AND DRAGGED THE LEFT WING DURING A TAKEOFF GROUND RUN FROM RWY 33. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE RIGHT WING LIFTED CAUSING THE LEFT WING TO DRAG ON THE RWY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RWY. THE FSS (LOCATED ON THE ARPT) REPORTED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS WERE FROM 260 DEG AT 7 KTS. SEVERAL 'DUST DEVILS' WERE OBSERVED IN THE AREA DURING THE DAY, BUT NONE WERE OBSERVED ON THE ARPT. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT HE RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND WAS AWARE OF THE REPORTED WEATHER PHENOMENA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2406J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2406J), registered now, S/N 18-7909119, built 1979 (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: 18-7909119
- Airframe hours: 5484
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Union Flights
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 1986, 5 hours before
- Departed: UKI, UKIAH, CA
- Destination: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: UKI, Ukiah, runway 33, 4,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## 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 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 19,680 total, 10,400 in this make and model, 245 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UKI

## 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 19860630078999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860630078999A), Jun 30, 1986: Piper PA18150, Ukiah, CA, Substantial damage. The left wing of the aircraft dragged on the runway preventing takeoff. Dust devils were reported in the area.

## Other investigations on N2406J (1)

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 LAX92FA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA356), Aug 17, 1992: Piper PA-18-150 (N2406J), Incline Village, NV, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: WAS THE PILOT'S IN FLIGHT LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL DUE TO PHYSICAL INCAPACITATION.

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.