# NTSB SEA95LA123: Piper PA-18A, N1252C, Laurel, MT, June 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1995, 18:00 local (Jun 18, 1995, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.600784, -108.679489 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6008&lon=-108.6795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA123 ## Probable cause THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS TALL VEGETATION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing ## Analysis WHILE DRAGGING AN OPEN FIELD IN PREPARATION FOR AN INTENTIONAL OFF AIRPORT LANDING, THE WHEELS OF THE AIRPLANE CAUGHT IN THE TALL GRASS. THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO REST IN AN INVERTED POSITION. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1995, at 1800 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18A, N1252C, nosed over in an open field near Laurel, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had departed from the Laurel Airport approximately 1740. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he flew over a friend's house until the occupants came out. The pilot stated that he decided to land in an open field next to the house to talk with the friend. The pilot stated that "...I thought I should drag it (the field) to check grass height and roughness." The pilot made one low pass at approximately 20 feet above ground level and then came back around to "drag" the field. As the airplane got closer to the ground, the pilot stated that he could feel that the wheels were into the grass and the airplane felt heavy. The pilot stated that he started to add power and back pressure on the yoke, however, the wheels caught in the tall grass and the airplane nosed down, eventually coming to rest inverted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1252C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1252C), registered now, S/N 18-2491, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2491 - Airframe hours: 5506 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northern Skies Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1995, 20 hours before - Departed: 6S8, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 147 total, 33 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 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 19950617017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950617017949A), Jun 17, 1995: Piper PA18A, Laurel, MT, Substantial damage. Wheels caught in tall grass while dragging a field for possible landing sight. Noted over. ## Other investigations on N1252C (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 SEA98LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA150), Jul 26, 1998: Piper PA-18 (N1252C), Columbus, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: Partial loss of power for undetermined reasons. Factors include the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing. 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.