# NTSB NYC87LA161: Piper PA-18, N8118, Speculator, NY, June 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Speculator, NY
- Coordinates: 43.549644, -74.430366 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5496&lon=-74.4304&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 January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD BEEN PRACTICING SHORT WATER TAKEOFFS WITH FULL FLAPS. AFTER SVCG THE ACFT WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL, HE BEGAN A TAKEOFF WITH 20 DEG OF FLAPS & GOT THE FLOAT PLANE ON THE STEP. HE RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS APPLYING FULL FLAPS, THE ACFT ENCTRD A GUST OF WIND. HE BELIEVED THAT AT THAT TIME, HE 'DID NOT CLICK IN FULL FLAPS' BUT EASED OFF THE FLAPS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STALLED & CONTACTED THE WATER, DAMAGING THE LEFT WING TIP, LEFT REAR PONTOON STRUT & THE HORIZONTAL PONTOON SPREADER BARS. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 15 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8118](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8118-2002-02-12), registration cancelled 2002-02-12, S/N 18-6435, built 1958 (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: 18-6435
- Airframe hours: 1885
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur L. Leman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1987, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 628 total, 202 in this make and model, 525 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870606019049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870606019049A), Jun 6, 1987: Piper PA18A, Speculator, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot stalled aircraft on takeoff from Lake Pleasant. Crashed into the lake. Used full flaps then raised on takeoff

## Other investigations on N8118 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC72FNA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FNA03), Jul 23, 1971: Piper PA-18 (N8118), Haverhill, MA, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.