# NTSB SEA89LA019: Piper PA-18, N1963P, Idaho Falls, ID, November 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1988, 02:30 local (09:30 UTC)
- Place: Idaho Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 43.500442, -111.890434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5004&lon=-111.8904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA019

## Analysis

PLT REPORTEDLY STOLE ACFT AND DEPARTED ABOUT MIDNIGHT IN SNOWSTORM. FOR 3 HOURS HE BUZZED LOCAL RESIDENCES VEHICLES UNTIL FUEL EXHAUSTION. FORCED LNDG MADE IN ROUGH FIELD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED PLT HAD LONG HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND HAD FALSIFIED MEDICAL CERTIFICATE APPLICATION DATA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, unknown
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use (contributing factor)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1963P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4180
- Airframe hours: 4160
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Linden J. Butikofer, Inc.
- Registered owner: Linden J. Butikofer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1987, 17 hours before
- Departed: U11, REXBURG, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IDA, 5 nm away

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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