# NTSB MIA81FA031: Piper PA-18A, N1956A, Lake Wales, FL, December 30, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 30, 1980
- Place: Lake Wales, FL · LAKE WALES, FL
- Location: 27.9203° N, 81.5996° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Wales, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9203&lon=-81.5996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81FA031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FA031

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3680  80/12/30 NR.LAKE WALES,FL      PIPER PA-18A        CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             STUDENT, AGE 17, 85 TOTAL
        TIME - 1130                    N1956A              PX-  1  0  0  UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED      HOURS, 10 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LAKE WALES,FL              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - STOLEN OR UNAUTH=
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- GLIDER-TOW-ONLY CERTIFICATE.FLT NOT AUTHORIZED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1956A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1956A-2006-06-01), registration cancelled 2006-06-01, S/N 18-1793, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19801230089889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801230089889A), Dec 30, 1980: Piper PA18A, Lake Wales, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was observed flying low making abrupt manuvers. On pullup rolled on back and dived into water.

## Other investigations on N1956A (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 MIA69D0031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0031), Jun 25, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N1956A), Montgomery, AL, 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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