# NTSB LAX94LA183: Piper PA-18-150, N8884D, Beowawe, NV, April 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1994, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Beowawe, NV
- Coordinates: 40.51992, -116.359222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5199&lon=-116.3592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA183

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadvertent application of the brakes combined with excessive forward control pressure during recovery from a bounced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD MADE SEVERAL APPROACHES INTO HIS PRIVATE DIRT STRIP DURING THIS FLIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ATTEMPTING A WHEEL LANDING ON THE LAST APPROACH WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED SLIGHTLY.  THE PILOT SAID HIS CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TO APPLY FORWARD CONTROL PRESSURE.  HE ALSO BELIEVES HE INADVERTENTLY HIT THE BRAKES AS HE WAS APPLYING THE CONTROL PRESSURE CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SUDDENLY NOSE OVER.

## Factual narrative

On April 2, 1994, at 0900 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18- 150, N8884D, sustained substantial damage during a nose over while landing at Carico Lake Ranch, Nevada.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local solo instructional flight.  Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan had been filed for the operation.  The certificated student pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from Carico Lake Ranch airport at 0700 on the day of the mishap.

The pilot reported that he had made several approaches into his private dirt strip during this flight before the accident occurred.  The pilot said he was attempting a wheel landing on the last approach when the aircraft bounced slightly.  The pilot said his corrective action was to apply forward control pressure.  He also believes he inadvertently hit the brakes as he was applying the control pressure and the aircraft suddenly nosed over.  As this occurred, the propeller struck the ground and both wings of the aircraft sustained structural damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8884D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8884D), registered now, S/N 6354, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L11954-27
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A23 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Jim H. Filippini
- Registered owner: Jim Filippini
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994
- Airport: Carico Lake Ranch, runway 36, 1,400 × 110 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 83 total, 66 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKO, 55 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 19940402000319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940402000319A), Apr 2, 1994: Piper PA18150, Beowawe, NV, Substantial damage. Accidently hit brakes on wheel landing. Aircraft nosed over.

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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