# NTSB NYC84FA158: Piper PA-18-150, N4410Z, Shirley, NY, May 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1984, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Shirley, NY
- Location: 40.7936° N, 72.8759° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shirley, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7936&lon=-72.8759&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - flight control,elevator - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING WITH A GLIDER IN TOW, THE TOW ACFT PITCHED NOSE UP. THE GLIDER & TOW PLTS RELEASED THE TOW ROPE & THE GLIDER PLT LANDED SAFELY. THE TOW ACFT MAINTAINED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, STALLED, THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LOWER ELEVATOR CONTROL CABLE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CONTROL HORN. THE ATTACH BOLT WAS LOCATED WITH ONLY ITS TIP IN THE HOLE OF THE LOWER CONTROL HORN. THE ASSOCIATED NUT & COTTER PIN WERE NOT FOUND. THE ACFT LOG SHOWED THAT AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ABOUT 30 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AT THAT TIME, THE CONTROLS WERE LUBRICATED & CHECKED & THE AIRFRAME WAS RE-COVERED WITH FABRIC. THE PLT'S LAST BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW WAS ON 2/7/82.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4410Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8743
- Airframe hours: 3516
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Long Island Soaring Assn. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: 1N1
- Airport: 1N1, Brookhaven, runway 15, 4,325 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 325 total, 14 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISP, 10 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 19840506015729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840506015729A), May 6, 1984: Piper PA18150, Shirley, NY, Destroyed. Tow plane pitched up, stalled, spun in. Missing nut and cotter pin for bolt securing cable to lower elevgator horn.

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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