# NTSB SEA85LA116: Piper PA-18A-150, N6775B, Ephrata, WA, May 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1984, 17:30 local (May 18, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Ephrata, WA
- Coordinates: 47.270107, -119.58966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2701&lon=-119.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - visual lookout - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS RETURNING FROM HIS THIRD AERIAL TOW. AFTER RELEASING THE TOW ROPE WHILE ON THE RAMP, THE PLT WAS MAKING CLEARING TURNS TO AVOID PARKED ACFT. THE TOW PLANE'S PARKED UNOCCUPIED ACFT. THE ACFT THEN PIVOTED INTO THE MID PORTION OF THE RIGHT WING WITH THE PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6775B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6775B), registered now, S/N 18-5008, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5008
- Airframe hours: 5562
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Seattle Glider Council, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1985, 34 hours before
- Departed: EPH, EPHRATA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,280 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,253 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EPH

## Other investigations on N6775B (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 SEA00LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA114), Jun 25, 2000: Piper PA-18A-150 (N6775B), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll.

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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