# NTSB MKC82DA072: Piper PA-18, N4339Z, North Loup, NE, May 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1982, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: North Loup, NE
- Coordinates: 41.489349, -98.76995 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4893&lon=-98.7699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA072

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BROKE GROUND ABOUT 1000 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE LOAD BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED IN ROUGH TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS BELOW MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT DURING TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4339Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4339Z-2008-06-05), registration cancelled 2008-06-05, S/N 18-8657, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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 8657
- Airframe hours: 1675
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Michael S. Fox
- Registered owner: Michael S. Fox
- Departed: NORTH LOUP, NE
- Destination: NORTH LOUP, NE
- Airport: Fox, runway 18, 2,800 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,934 total, 1,260 in this make and model, 2,883 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820507014449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820507014449A), May 7, 1982: Piper PA18, North Loup, NE, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after liftoff. Crash landed in rising terrain. No engine problem.

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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