# NTSB SEA90LA090: Piper PA18, N5895D, Palouse, WA, June 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1990, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Palouse, WA
- Coordinates: 46.880298, -117.150794 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8803&lon=-117.1508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA090

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS POORLY PLANNED APPROACH FOR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A FERRY FLIGHT FOR MAINTENANCE, THE PILOT CIRCLED THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP FOR WIND DIRECTION. THE PILOT BEGAN THE DESCENT FOR LANDING AND NOTED A ROW OF POWER LINES. THE AIRPLANE CLEARED THAT ROW OF LINES, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SECOND ROW THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT OBSERVED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE SECOND ROW. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL NOSED OVER. THE LEFT WING IGNITED AND BURNED THE LEFT SIDE ONLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5895D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5895D), registered now, S/N 18-5404, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5404
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mervyn, William J.
- Registered owner: Mervyn, William J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: PUW, PULLMAN, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °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 19900601018029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900601018029A), Jun 1, 1990: Piper PA18150, Palouse, WA, Substantial damage. Was ferrying newly restored aircraft for annual. Hit unseen wires on approach to private strip. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N5895D (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 DEN84FA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA278), Sep 16, 1984: Piper PA-18 (N5895D), Meadow Lake, NM, destroyed, 2 fatal

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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