# NTSB SEA87LA120: Piper PA-18-135, N27039, Yakima, WA, June 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1987, 11:23 local (18:23 UTC)
- Place: Yakima, WA
- Location: 46.5682° N, 120.5441° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at YAKIMA AIR TRML/MCALLISTER FLD (YKM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5682&lon=-120.5441&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA120

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

WHILE ON LANDING ROLL IN GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N27039 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-3928
- Airframe hours: 2382
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve L. Simon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1986, 32 hours before
- Airport: YKM, Yakima, runway 22, 4,297 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 552 total, 30 in this make and model, 434 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKM

## 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 19870621078779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870621078779A), Jun 21, 1987: Piper PA18135, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind. Veered off the runway and ground looped.

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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