# NTSB LAX88LA024: Piper PA-18-150, N3181Z, Palo Alto, CA, October 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1987, 09:22 local (16:22 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450458, -122.100273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4505&lon=-122.1003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA024

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLT WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED TO THE LEFT, EXITED THE RWY AND NOSED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3181Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3181Z-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 18-7172, built 1959 (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: 187172
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: White, John R.
- Registered owner: White, John R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 273 total, 32 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19871024079809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871024079809A), Oct 24, 1987: Piper PA18150, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped on the landing roll. Stopped nose down on the runway.

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.