# NTSB SEA83LA145: Piper PA-18-125, N1144A, Fort Hall, ID, June 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1983, 19:00 local (Jun 25, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Hall, ID
- Coordinates: 43.03939, -112.530639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0394&lon=-112.5306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING A DESCENT TO AN ARPT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. EMERGENCY START PROCEDURES FAILED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A GRAIN FIELD. DURING ROLL OUT THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE FOUND A DIRTY FUEL SCREEN AND THE ACFT HAD SAT ON THE GROUND FOR A WEEK AND A HALF WITH THE TANKS ONLY 1/2 FULL OF FUEL. HE FOUND WATER IN THE FUEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE DRAINED SOME FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, BUT HAD NOT USED A STRAINER TO VISUALLY CHECK FOR WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1144A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1144A), registered now, S/N 18-737, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125
- 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: 18737
- Airframe hours: 1410
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James H. Sallmon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983
- Departed: U58, DOWNEY, ID
- Destination: PIH, POCATELLO, ID
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,125 total, 525 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIH, 13 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 19830624055529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830624055529A), Jun 24, 1983: Piper PA18125, Ft Hall, ID, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Flipped over while landing in a wheat field. Dirty fuel screen and water in fuel.

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.