# NTSB SEA06CA062: Piper PA-18A, N1984A, Shady Cove, OR, March 4, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 4, 2006, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Shady Cove, OR - Coordinates: 42.608055, -122.82611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6081&lon=-122.8261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63308 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63308/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper installation of the control stick during maintenance, which resulted in the control stick becoming disconnected during the initial takeoff climb, resulting in a loss of control and in-flight collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - disconnected (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff initial climb, at about 40 feet agl, the control stick came out of its attach point. He reduced power, and the airplane descended and impacted terrain in approximately a 30 degree pitch down attitude. The pilot stated that the reason the control stick came out was that he had "improperly installed" it during preventative maintenance. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2006, about 1200 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18A, N1984A, impacted terrain in an uncontrolled descent following a loss of control during the initial takeoff climb from runway 18 at Shady Cove Airport, Shady Cove, Oregon. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, at about 40 feet agl, the control stick came out of its attach point. He reduced power, and the airplane descended and impacted terrain in approximately a 30 degree pitch down attitude. The pilot stated that the reason the control stick came out was that he had "improperly installed" it during preventative maintenance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1984A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1984A), registered now, S/N 18-1808, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18A - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1808 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OG31, Shady Cove, OR - Destination: OG31, Shady Cove, OR - Airport: OG31, Shady Cove, runway 18 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 30 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 20060304002979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060304002979A), Mar 4, 2006: Piper PA18A, Shady Cove, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost control of the aircraft during takeoff because the pilot control stick came out of the attachment point. ## Other investigations on N1984A (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 ERA20LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA055), Dec 15, 2019: Piper PA18 (N1984A), New Market, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing and an overload failure of the right main landing gear leg and its associated shock/dampener. 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.