# NTSB SEA03CA200: Piper PA-18-150, N4451Z, Basin City, WA, September 30, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 30, 2003, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Basin City, WA
- Coordinates: 46.521389, -119.180557
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5214&lon=-119.1806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03CA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03CA200

## Probable cause

Clearance not maintained while on short approach to the runway.  A factor was the corn stalks near the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane's left wing made contact with multiple mature corn stalks while on short final to the grass runway.  The airplane subsequently landed short of the runway resulting in substantial damage to the right wing spar and engine mounts.

## Factual narrative

On September 30, 2003, at 0945 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N4451Z, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip near Basin City, Washington.  The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional solo flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  Visual metrological conditions prevailed for the local flight.

In a written statement dated September 27, 2003, the pilot reported that the airplane's left wing made contact with multiple mature corn stalks while on short final to the grass runway.  The airplane subsequently landed short of the runway resulting in substantial damage to the right wing spar and engine mounts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4451Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4451Z), registered now, S/N 18-8798, built 1969 (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: 18-8798
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael P. Zimmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: NONE, Basin City, WA
- Destination: NONE, Basin City, WA
- Airport: NONE, Dorman (Private), runway E-W

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 39; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 50 total, 11 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030930024329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030930024329A), Sep 30, 2003: Piper PA18150, Basin City, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 30, 2003 at approximately 09:45 local time N4451Z, a PA-18-150 "super cub" piloted by student pilot michael zimmer struck standing corn…

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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