# NTSB SEA90LA055: Piper PA18-160, N9977Q, Reno, NV, March 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1990, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.519565, -119.919998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5196&lon=-119.9200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA055

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED OFF THE 150 FT. WIDE RUNWAY, ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9977Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9977Q), registered now, S/N 18-3575 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-3575
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory V. Towning
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 1989, 5 hours before
- Departed: 002, BECKWOURTH, CA
- Airport: 4SD, Reno Stead, runway 26, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 686 total, 93 in this make and model, 686 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 12 nm away

## 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 19900323005359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900323005359A), Mar 23, 1990: Piper PA18150, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Swerved off runway on landing roll and nosed over in soft sand.

## Other investigations on N9977Q (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 LAX91LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA321), Jul 21, 1991: Piper PA 18-135 (N9977Q), Gerlach, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE BY THE SELECTION OF AN INAPPROPRIATE CRUISE ALTITUDE RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

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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