# NTSB LAX92FA356: Piper PA-18-150, N2406J, Incline Village, NV, August 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1992, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Incline Village, NV
- Coordinates: 39.239936, -119.920196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2399&lon=-119.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA356
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA356

## Probable cause

WAS THE PILOT'S IN FLIGHT LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL DUE TO PHYSICAL INCAPACITATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - light condition - daylight
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT REFUELED THE PIPER CUB AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT MISHAP.  THE PILOT WAS ENGAGED IN PATROLLING PIPELINES, AND DURING THIS PORTION OF THE WESTBOUND ROUTE OVER 8,000 FOOT MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN HE WAS POSITIONING THE AIRPLANE BETWEEN SEGMENTS.  THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE CRASH AND THE PILOT DID NOT ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH ATC.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ABOUT 9 MILES WEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE, HEADING EAST, AND WITH ITS ENGINE ABOUT 4 FEET BENEATH GROUND LEVEL.  EXAM OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE REVEALED CONTINUITY OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, FUEL IN THE ENGINE AND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURES.  MEDICAL RECORDS INDICATED THE PILOT HAD EXPERIENCED A PAIN IN HIS CHEST.  FAMILY MEMBERS REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY EXPERIENCED CHEST PAINS WHICH WERE SEVERE ENOUGH TO RESULT IN THE PILOT INTERRUPTING HIS ACTIVITY.  DURING THE AUTOPSY THE PATHOLOGIST PERFORMED A MICROSCOPIC EXAM OF THE HEART AND FOUND NUCLEAR PLEOMORPHISM AND HYPERCHROMATISM.  NO ACUTE CHANGES WERE PRESENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2406J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2406J), registered now, S/N 18-7909119, built 1979 (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: 18-7909119
- Airframe hours: 11365
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Union Flights
- Registered owner: Union Flights
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 1992, 100 hours before
- Departed: O04, CARSON CITY, NV
- Destination: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,074 total, 1,283 in this make and model, 2,044 as pilot in command, 244 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK, 12 nm away

## 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 19920817031969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920817031969A), Aug 17, 1992: Piper PA18150, Incline Village, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pipeline patrol aircraft found in vertical crash. No engine defects.

## Other investigations on N2406J (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 LAX86LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA274), Jun 30, 1986: Piper PA-18-150 (N2406J), Ukiah, CA, 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.

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