# NTSB LAX89LA105: Piper PA-18, N9007S, Flagstaff, AZ, February 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1989, 15:14 local (22:14 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.180881, -111.660781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1809&lon=-111.6608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA105

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT WHILE EXPEDITING TO EXIT THE RUNWAY. HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE & THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, THERE WAS A LEARJET BEHIND HIM ON A 5 MILE FINAL APCH. HE STATED THAT HE MADE A NORMAL LANDING, THEN STEERED LEFT TOWARD THE 'TAXIWAY SIDE' OF THE RWY TO EXPEDITE OFF THE RWY. HOWEVER, AFTER REACHING THE LEFT SIDE, HE WAS UNABLE TO ALIGN THE ACFT BACK ON THE RWY HEADING & ELECTED TO CONTINUE OFF THE RWY, RATHER THAN RISK GROUND LOOPING THE ACFT. AFTER DEPARTING THE RWY, THE ACFT ENTERED SNOW & NOSED OVER. NO MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS RPRTD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9007S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187709089
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter Baxter
- Registered owner: Baxter, Peter M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam, runway 3, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 364 total, 12 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °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 19890208002129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890208002129A), Feb 8, 1989: Piper PA18150, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Veered to edge of runway on landing roll to expedite clearing runway. Ran off runway into a snowbank and overturned

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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