# NTSB MIA92LA113: Piper PA-18-150, N13910, St. Augustine, FL, April 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1992, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.890771, -81.310173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8908&lon=-81.3102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE BUZZING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT STALLING AND ENTERING A SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, other
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE AIRPLANE MADE TWO PASSES NEAR A MARINA AT APPROX 100 FT. ON THE SECOND PASS, FROM WEST TO EAST, THE AIRPLANE PULLED UP SHARPLY, AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS HEARD INCREASING. AT APPROX 400 FT, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN TO THE LEFT INTO THE WATER. PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS WERE POSITIVE; 0.002 UG/ML TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIJUANA) IN BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13910](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13910), registered now, S/N 18-7409055, built 1974 (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: 18-7409055
- Airframe hours: 2436
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael L. King
- Registered owner: Harold Hendry, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: SGJ, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total, 1 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 25 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 19920422010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920422010659A), Apr 22, 1992: Piper PA18150, St Augustine, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Buzzed marina. Pulled up into steep climb. Stalled and spun into water. Test positive for marijuana.

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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