# NTSB SEA92LA207: Piper PA-18-150, N7894P, Smoot, WY, September 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1992, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Smoot, WY
- Coordinates: 42.619525, -110.919441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6195&lon=-110.9194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA207

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S DELAYED GO-AROUND. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT IN COMMAND INITIATED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ON A RIDGETOP (AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE PASSENGER). THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON ROUGH TERRAIN, BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS TRAVELLING TOO FAST TO STOP BEFORE STRIKING TREES IN THE LANDING PATH BUT TOO SLOW TO FLY OUT. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND TURNED THE AIRCRAFT DOWNSLOPE DURING WHICH TIME THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING IMPACTED A TREE WITH GROUND IMPACT FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7894P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7894P), registered now, S/N 18-7876, built 1962 (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: 18-7876
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bayorek, Barry E.
- Registered owner: Bayorek, Barry E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: AFO, AFTON, WY
- Destination: AFO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 530 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAC, 61 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 19920919037809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920919037809A), Sep 19, 1992: Piper PA18150, Smoot, WY, Substantial damage. Tried to land in clearing on ridge. Unable stop and avoid trees. Tried go around. Struck tree in steep turn.

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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