# NTSB LAX90LA323: Piper PA-18A-150, N2894P, Montague, CA, September 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1990, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Montague, CA
- Coordinates: 41.759029, -122.390655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7590&lon=-122.3907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA323

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE PERFORMING LANDINGS.

## 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 operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT TOOK OFF AND SUCCESSFULLY FLEW AROUND THE AIRPORT COMPLETING HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT. THE PILOT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR OBSERVED HIS STUDENT AND REPORTED THAT HIS STUDENT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY IN A PERFECT THREE POINT ATTITUDE WITH FULL FLAPS. THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT, EXITED THE RUNWAY, ENTERED A DIRT FIELD AND GROUND LOOPED. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2894P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2894P), registered now, S/N 18-4492, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4492
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Montague Aviation
- Registered owner: Erling H. Hjertager
- Airport: 105, Montague-Yreka, runway 14, 3,360 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 26 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: 105

## 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 19900917039549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900917039549A), Sep 17, 1990: Piper PA18A150, Montague, CA, Substantial damage. First solo,lost directional control on 3 point landing. Veered,dragged a wing, and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N2894P (1)

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 GAA20CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA030), Oct 16, 2019: Piper PA18 (N2894P), Gerlach, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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.