# NTSB SEA93LA068: Piper PA-18-150, N789FG, Winnett, MT, February 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1993, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Winnett, MT
- Coordinates: 47.110122, -108.220321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1101&lon=-108.2203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA068

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOWBANK AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OPERATION.

## 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
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON A GRAVEL ROAD FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND WITH A TOTAL OF 24 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, THE STUDENT PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT LEFT DURING WHICH TIME THE LEFT GEAR DUG INTO A SNOW BERM ALONGSIDE THE ROAD'S EDGE AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N789FG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N789FG), registered now, S/N 18-8883, built 1970 (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: 18-8883
- Airframe hours: 14624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flint, Gary Lee
- Registered owner: Solf, William & Flint, Gary
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1992, 94 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19930228005619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930228005619A), Feb 28, 1993: Piper PA18150, Winnet, MT, Substantial damage. Solo student unauthorized landed on dirt road. Drifted into a snowbank and nosed 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.

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