# NTSB NYC91LA004: Piper PA-18, N117T, Emlenton, PA, October 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1990, 12:13 local (16:13 UTC)
- Place: Emlenton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.450294, -80.249229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4503&lon=-80.2492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE LANDING. THE TURBULENCE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE ENCOUNTERED MODERATE-TO-SEVERE TURBULENCE NEAR TOUCHDOWN, AND THE AIRPLANE DROPPED APRX 15 FT, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N117T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2231
- Airframe hours: 3846
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aaa Aviation
- Registered owner: Samuel J. Kademenos
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 8G4, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Airport: NONE, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 458 total, 63 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19901007044239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901007044239A), Oct 7, 1990: Piper PA18, Emlenton, PA, Substantial damage. Right wing stalled on final for landing in farm field. Dropped 15 feet causing damage. Blamed turbulence.

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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