# NTSB MKC87FA051: Piper PA-18, N9498D, Venango, NE, February 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1987, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Venango, NE
- Coordinates: 40.760372, -102.039497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7604&lon=-102.0395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE FLY OVER HIS PROPERTY FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH AND HE WAVED TO THE PILOTS. THE AIRPLANE THEN CAME BACK TOWARD THE NORTH AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND WHEN THE WITNESS HEARD THE POWER BEING APPLIED, THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND ALMOST INSTANTLY, HE HEARD THE AIRPLANE IMPACT THE GROUND. THE WITNESS DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9498D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9498D-1991-04-24), registration cancelled 1991-04-24, S/N 186750 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 186750
- Airframe hours: 2601
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Dudden
- Registered owner: Larry Dudden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 1986, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBF, 75 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 19870222002999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870222002999A), Feb 22, 1987: Piper PA18, Venango, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft spun into trees during low level buzzing maneuvers.

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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