# NTSB LAX93FA020: Piper PA-18-135, N2221L, Cottonwood, AZ, October 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1992, 10:41 local (17:41 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.749904, -112.010284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7499&lon=-112.0103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA020

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL AND DESCENT INTO TERRAIN WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE CONDUCTING A PERSONAL FLIGHT NEAR MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN TO LOOK FOR POSSIBLE OFF AIRPORT LANDING SPOTS.  THE PILOT REPORTEDLY HAD COMMENTED ABOUT PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN BUSH FLYING, INCLUDING LANDING ON DIRT ROADS.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ABOUT 100 TO 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND IN A SMALL CANYON NEAR A SWITCHBACK AREA ALONG A MOUNTAIN ROAD. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN OBSERVED TO RAPIDLY DESCEND INTO THE GROUND, CRASHING IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.  A PILOT WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS IN THE AREA. A GROUND WITNESS REPORTED CALM WIND CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2221L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4018
- Airframe hours: 3208
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Massey, William
- Registered owner: Massey, Ronald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1992, 72 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 16 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 19921030044479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921030044479A), Oct 30, 1992: Piper PA18135, Cottonwood, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and crashed near mountain road. Pilot reported he was going to find a place to land to check a hunting area

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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