# NTSB LAX88LA010: Piper PA-18-150, N4085E, San Jose, CA, October 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1987, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.34045, -121.879676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3404&lon=-121.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA010

## 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
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE WAS DISTRACTED AND LOOKED DOWNWARD. HE SAID THAT WHEN HE LOOKED BACK UP THE GROUND LOOP HAD STARTED AND IT WAS TOO LATE TO CORRECT IT. HE DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4085E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4085E), registered now, S/N 18-7809059, built 1978 (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: 187809059
- Airframe hours: 572
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pageblair, Richard J.
- Registered owner: Hall, Robert N
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1987, 111 hours before
- Departed: RHV
- Destination: RHV
- Airport: Reid Hillview, runway 31L, 3,099 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 335 total, 204 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV

## 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 19871009059329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871009059329A), Oct 9, 1987: Piper PA18150, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. While looking down to change radio frequency, the pilot lost directional control and the aircraft ground looped.

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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