# NTSB OAK74AP039: Piper PA-18, N131T, Loleta, CA, February 9, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 9, 1974
- Place: Loleta, CA · LOLETA, CA
- Location: 40.6409° N, 124.2226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Loleta, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6409&lon=-124.2226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 186891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74AP039
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74AP039

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0402   74/2/9    LOLETA,CALIF        PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 49, 340
        TIME - 1205                    N131T               PX-  0  1  0  PRACTICE                  TOTAL HOURS, 60 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EUREKA,CALIF                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FIGURE-8 MANEUVER,STEEP BANK,LOW ALT.OBSERVING VEHICLE STUCK IN SURF.77LBS OVER GWT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N131T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N131T-1974-04-12), registration cancelled 1974-04-12, S/N 182245 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19740209004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740209004859A), Feb 9, 1974: Piper PA18105SPEC, Loleta, CA, Destroyed. Figure-8 maneuver,steep bank,low alt. Observing vehicle stuck in surf.77LBS over gwt.

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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