# NTSB LAX88LA027: Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, Casa Grande, AZ, October 28, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 1987, 17:25 local (Oct 28, 1987, 00:25 UTC) - Place: Casa Grande, AZ - Location: 32.8795° N, 111.7574° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Casa Grande, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8795&lon=-111.7574&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 25894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25894/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA027 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fuel system,carburetor (cause) - maintenance,adjustment - improper (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, THE STUDENT WAS PERFORMING CLIMBS, DESCENTS AND TURNS WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED ON A DIRT ROAD WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH A RISE IN THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY EXCEPT FOR THE IDLE SPEED WAS 500 RPM (SLIGHTLY LOW) AND THE IDLE MIXTURE APPEARED TO BE SLIGHTLY LEAN. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4101E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4101E-2006-05-24), registration cancelled 2006-05-24, S/N 18-7809068, 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: 187809068 - Airframe hours: 2960 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Chandler Air Service - Registered owner: Mike Hickey - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1987, 80 hours before - Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ - Destination: P10 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,296 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 351 in the last 90 days, 101 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 19871027061489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871027061489A), Oct 27, 1987: Piper PA18150, Casa Grande, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine lost power during student training maneuvers. Crash landed on a dirt road. Cause of power loss unknown. ## Other investigations on N4101E (5) 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 LAX05CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA121), Mar 22, 2005: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. - [NTSB LAX98LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA174), May 23, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Sedona, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. A factor was the gusty wind. - [NTSB LAX97LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA090), Jan 15, 1997: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. The student's diverted attention was a related factor. - [NTSB LAX90LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA054), Dec 19, 1989: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Bumble Bee, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY MANNER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND THE DESERT TERRAIN. - [NTSB LAX87LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA041), Nov 17, 1986: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, 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. --- 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.