# NTSB SEA94LA170: Piper PA-18-150, N3992P, Prineville, OR, June 27, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1994, 18:00 local (Jun 27, 1994, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Prineville, OR
- Coordinates: 44.099979, -120.660278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1000&lon=-120.6603&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 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA170

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING TO DRAG ON THE GROUND. GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 1994, approximately 1800 hours Pacific daylight time (pdt), a Piper PA-18-150, N3992P, registered to and being flown by James L. Campbell, a certificated private pilot, was substantially damaged when the left wing drug during takeoff at a private dirt airstrip near Post, Oregon (refer to photograph 01). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was uninjured. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with 14CFR91.

The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from a private airstrip on a ridge in "windy conditions" when a gust of wind pushed the left wing down. The wing contacted the ground and the aircraft then crashed. He reported that a thunderstorm was approaching and that the winds were gusting 20-25 knots at the time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3992P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3992P), registered now, S/N 18-4752, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1504752
- Airframe hours: 9000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Campbell, James L.
- Registered owner: Campbell, James L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1994, 20 hours before
- Destination: POST, OR
- Airport: runway 27, 1,000 × 45 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 278 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °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 19940626020189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940626020189A), Jun 26, 1994: Piper PA18150, Prineville, OR, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff from private strip on a ridge. Wind gust cause wing to hit ground. Cartwheeled. Thunderstorm near.

## Other investigations on N3992P (2)

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 SEA99LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA130), Jul 25, 1999: Piper PA-18A-150 (N3992P), Jordan Valley, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush of the aircraft while attempting a forced landing due to partial power loss of the engine. Factors include carburetor icing conditions and the pilot's improper use…
- [NTSB ANC86LAG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LAG03), Oct 3, 1985: Piper PA-18A-150 (N3992P), Homer, AK, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.