# NTSB SEA89LA165: Piper PA-18-150, N83330, Burns Junction, OR, August 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1989, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Burns Junction, OR
- Coordinates: 42.959438, -117.360961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9594&lon=-117.3610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM A SHORT DIRT FIELD, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A STALL AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE MANAGED TO ROLL THE AIRCRAFT WINGS LEVEL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 360 DEG, 3 KTS GUSTING 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83330](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83330), registered now, S/N 18-7609080, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7609080
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary W. Robinson
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: PORTLAND, OR
- Airport: Burns Junction, runway 27, 800 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 62 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890831034029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890831034029A), Aug 31, 1989: Piper PA18150, Burns Junction, OR, Substantial damage. Student stalled aircraft on climbout from a crosswind takeoff. Blamed wind gust.

## Other investigations on N83330 (2)

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 ANC23LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA040), Jun 4, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N83330), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive braking during landing on a sand bar, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB ANC15CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA028), May 17, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N83330), Seward, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive braking during landing, which resulted in a nose over.

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.