# NTSB SEA87LA187: Piper PA-18, N1394V, John Day, OR, September 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1987, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.419937, -118.940284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4199&lon=-118.9403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (cause)
  - stall/mush
- Fire/explosion, other

## Analysis

PLT DEPARTED HAY FIELD IN HI DENSITY ALT CONDS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR TREES AND STALLED/MUSHED INTO TERRAIN, COLLAPSING GEAR AND COLLIDING WITH TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1394V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1394V-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 54-2400, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (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: 542400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rawlins, Timothy R.
- Registered owner: Rawlins, Richard T.
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1987
- Destination: SLE, SALEM, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 550 total, 110 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19870914079609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870914079609A), Sep 14, 1987: Piper PA18135, John Day, OR, Destroyed. Aircraft stalled on climbout from a hay field. Crashed into trees. Post impact fire. Aircraft at maximum weight.

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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