# NTSB SEA94LA140: Piper PA-18, N4509Y, Culbertson, MT, June 5, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1994, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Culbertson, MT
- Coordinates: 48.27996, -105.6594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2800&lon=-105.6594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY CROSSWINDS, AND A FENCE NEAR THE POINT OF TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF IN GUSTY CROSSWINDS. HIS TAKEOFF ROLL WAS PARALLEL TO A FENCE ON THE EDGE OF AN OPEN FIELD FROM WHICH HE WAS DEPARTING. BECAUSE OF THE CROSSWIND, THE PILOT HAD TO HOLD THE RIGHT WING DOWN DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. HIS AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY A STRONG GUST JUST AS HE WAS LIFTING OFF, AND HE FAILED TO ROLL WINGS-LEVEL IN TIME TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTING THE FENCE.

## Factual narrative

On June 5, 1994, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Piper PA-18, N4509Y, impacted a fence during a takeoff from an open field near Culbertson, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 91 business flight, which was departing for Wolf Point Airport, Wolf Point, Montana, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, his takeoff roll, which was being attempted in gusty crosswinds, was parallel to a fence which ran along the edge of an open field from which he was departing. Because of the crosswind, the pilot was holding the right wing down during the takeoff roll. After being hit by a strong gust just as the aircraft lifted off, the pilot failed to roll wings-level soon enough to keep the aircraft from making a right turn into the fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4509Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4509Y), registered now, S/N 18-8930, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 18-8936
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rodenberg, James D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1994, 11 hours before
- Destination: OLF, WOLF POINT, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 923 total, 412 in this make and model, 54 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19940605013869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940605013869A), Jun 5, 1994: Piper PA18AS135, Culbertson, MT, Substantial damage. Tried takeoff gusty crosswind paralell to a fence. Gust dipped wing. Failed to level same. Turned into fence.

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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