# NTSB SEA83LA100: Piper PA-18-150, N7173K, Grass Valley, OR, May 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1983, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, OR
- Coordinates: 45.279632, -120.729789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2796&lon=-120.7298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA100

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT STALLED WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND DOWNWIND ON AN UPHILL GRASS STRIP. THE WIND WAS ESTIMATED AT 15 GUSTING TO 20 KTS. THE PILOT STATED THAT ON HIS APPROACH, HE WAS TO THE LEFT OF THE CENTER OF THE LANDING STRIP. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT TO THE RIGHT AND STALLED AT ABOUT 50 FEET AGL. RECOVERY WAS INITIATED, BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, SPINNING THE ACFT 180 DEGREES. THE AIRCRAFT SLID ABOUT 50 TO 100 FEET AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT WITH THE MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 1 MILE SHORT OF THE AIRSTRIP THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7173K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7173K-1994-10-06), registration cancelled 1994-10-06, S/N 18395 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-395
- Airframe hours: 1922
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ian B. Jamieson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1982, 10 hours before
- Departed: 3S9, CONDON, OR
- Destination: GRASS VALLEY, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,150 total, 919 in this make and model, 2,130 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLS, 23 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 19830516019869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830516019869A), May 16, 1983: Piper PA18, Grass Valley, OR, Substantial damage. Stalled on short final while landing downwind. Impacted ground one mile short of runway, gusty surface wind.

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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