# NTSB NYC87LA084: Piper PA-18, N7182B, Oxford, MA, February 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1987, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, MA
- Location: 42.1159° N, 71.8701° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oxford, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1159&lon=-71.8701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG A LNDG, THE ACFT ENCTRD A GUST OF WIND & VEERED INTO A GROUND LOOP BEFORE HE COULD CORRECT THE SITUATION. THE ACFT THEN HIT A SNOWBANK AT THE SIDE OF THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 300 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7182B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7182B), registered now, S/N 18-5221, built 1956 (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: 18-5221
- Airframe hours: 1050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen F. Cusson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1986
- Airport: MA08, Oxford, runway 2, 2,047 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 455 total, 31 in this make and model, 371 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F

## 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 19870211002609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870211002609A), Feb 11, 1987: Piper PA18, Oxford, MA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in gusty crosswind. Ground looped into a snowbank.

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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