# NTSB LAX99LA280: Piper PA-18-18, N3356B, Eagleville, CA, August 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1999, 18:30 local (Aug 22, 1999, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Eagleville, CA - Coordinates: 41.300197, -120.100318 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3002&lon=-120.1003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47119 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47119/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA280 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with a thunderstorm induced downdraft, which resulted in a high rate of sink, at an altitude insufficient to provide for recovery prior to ground impact. The high density altitude was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - windshear - weather condition - downdraft - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The flight's destination is located in a mountain valley. After sightseeing on the southwest side of the valley, the pilot headed north toward the town, where he intended to land and spend the night. About 3 miles south of the town, the aircraft flew over a small ridge, which resulted in the aircraft being about 500 feet agl. The passenger remarked on some corrals on the ground and the pilot performed a 360-degree turn to view the area. During the turn, the pilot noted the airspeed had increased slightly, and, as the aircraft rolled out on a northerly heading, the aircraft suddenly felt like it stalled and entered a rapid descent. The pilot lowered the nose and flared as the aircraft approached the ground. The aircraft landed flat, breaking off the landing gear. The pilot said that shortly after ground impact, a large cloud moved overhead and it began to lightening and rain heavily, with very gusty surface winds. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to ground contact. Based on the pressure altitude and the temperature at a weather reporting station 15 miles east of the site, the density altitude was calculated to be about 7,500 feet. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 1999, at 1830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-18, N3356B, collided with mountainous terrain after encountering what the pilot described as a downdraft near Eagleville, California. The aircraft was operated by Jim & I Aviators of Redding, California, and rented by the pilot for a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger was injured. The flight originated at Redding on the morning of the accident and made stops at Lakeview, Oregon, and Cedarville, California, and was en route to Eagleville when the accident occurred. In a telephone interview and his written statement, the pilot said he departed Redding early in the morning and stopped in Lakeview to take care of some family business. Then he flew to Cedarville, arriving about 1200, and spent several hours on the ground. About 1800, he left Cedarville for Eagleville and arrived in the town's valley just before 1830. After completing some sightseeing on the southwest side of the mountain valley, he headed north toward the town, where he intended to land and spend the night. About 3 miles south of the town, the aircraft flew over a small ridge, which resulted in the aircraft being about 500 feet agl. His passenger remarked on some corrals on the ground and the pilot performed a 360-degree turn to view the area. During the turn, the pilot noted the airspeed had increased slightly, and, as the aircraft rolled out on a northerly heading, the aircraft suddenly felt like it stalled and entered a rapid descent toward the ground. The pilot lowered the nose and flared as the aircraft approached the ground. The aircraft landed flat, breaking off the landing gear. The pilot said he turned off the fuel and exited the aircraft. Suddenly, as a large cloud moved overhead it began to lightening and rain heavily, with very gusty surface winds. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to ground contact. Based on the pressure altitude and the temperature at a weather reporting station 15 miles east of the site, the density altitude was calculated to be about 7,500 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: N3356B (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-18 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3309 - Airframe hours: 5081 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jim & I Aviators - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1992, 80 hours before - Departed: O59, CEDARVILLE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 900 total, 40 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ATT, 15 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 19990821024659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990821024659A), Aug 21, 1999: Piper PA18, Eagleville, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 21, 1999, at 1900 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-18, N3356B, collided with mountainous terrain after encountering what the pilot… 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.