# NTSB LAX88LA286: Piper PA-18-135, N9965Q, Parker, AZ, August 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1988, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Parker, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.080844, -114.220153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0808&lon=-114.2202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA286

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST AFTER TKOF FROM A RIVER THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING SUFFICIENT POWER TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT MADE A LANDING AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN AND FOUND TO OPERATE WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING PARAMETERS. THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 105 DEGREES F. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 3400 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9965Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9965Q), registered now, S/N 18-3957, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-3957
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheble Aviation
- Registered owner: Sheble, Joseph F. II
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1988, 79 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,170 total, 410 in this make and model, 1,880 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19880814032639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880814032639A), Aug 14, 1988: Piper PA18135, Parker, AZ, Substantial damage. Hot day and no wind caused floatplane to settle and mush into rough ground after a river takeoff.

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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