# NTSB LAX87LA336: Piper PA-18-150, N999BA, Byron, CA, September 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1987, 19:18 local (Sep 15, 1987, 02:18 UTC)
- Place: Byron, CA
- Coordinates: 37.850395, -121.61956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8504&lon=-121.6196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25689/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA336

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITH THE WIND OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST AT 8 TO 10 KNOTS, THE PLT WAS TAXIING THE ACFT IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION AT A HIGH ENOUGH SPEED TO KEEP 'ON THE STEP'. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE ACFT TO A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING FOR TKOF, THE ACFT FAILED TO RESPOND. RATHER THAN ABORT THE TKOF, HE CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD, JUDGING THAT HE HAD SUFFICIENT ROOM TO TKOF IN THAT DIRECTION. AT 38 TO 40 KNOTS, WHILE APPROACHING A LEVEE, HE PULLED THE ACFT OFF THE WATER. THE RIGHT FLOAT GRAZED THE TOP OF THE LEVEE, CAUSING THE ACFT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING COLLIDING WITH A TELEPHONE POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N999BA), registered now, S/N 18-7709138, built 1977 (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: 187709138
- Airframe hours: 1107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lamb, Vaughn R.
- Registered owner: Vaughn H Lamb
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1986, 180 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,540 total, 180 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870914053189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870914053189A), Sep 14, 1987: Piper PA18150, Byron, CA, Destroyed. Right float touched top of levee on a water takeoff. Veered to the right. Wing struck a telephone pole. Was downwind

## Other investigations on N999BA (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 LAX80DVM22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DVM22), Apr 5, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N999BA), San Carlos, CA, 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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