# NTSB NYC94LA048: Piper PA-18-150, N3999Z, Monticello, NY, January 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1994, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, NY
- Coordinates: 41.649383, -74.680152 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6494&lon=-74.6802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ALLOWED THE SPEED OF THE AIRPLANE TO GET TOO SLOW, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO ALLOW RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed(vref) - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A SHORT FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING.  ON SHORT FINAL THE AIRPLANE STALLED, STRUCK A FENCE, AND A SNOWBANK. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER FOREWARD AND SLID ABOUT 15 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A FULL STOP.

## Factual narrative

On Monday, January 10, 1994, at about 1445 eastern standard time, a Piper PA18, N3999Z, piloted by Mr. David Preston, collided with a fence while landing at the Sullivan County Airport, Monticello, New York.  The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.

According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:

...flew to N37 [Monticello] and attempting short field      approach.  Aircraft stalled on final approach and      struck fence and snow bank on runway 33.  Aircraft      flipped over forward and slid about 15' to full stop.

Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no discrepancies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3999Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3999Z), registered now, S/N 18-7934 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 18-7934
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Gaston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1993, 20 hours before
- Departed: ESN, EASTON, MD
- Airport: N37, Monticello, runway 33, 2,085 × 24 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 175 total, 32 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 50 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 19940110000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940110000269A), Jan 10, 1994: Piper PA18150, Monticello, NY, Substantial damage. Tried for short field approach. Too low and slow. Stalled on final. Struck fence and 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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