# NTSB SEA97LA056: Piper PA-18-150, N83347, Moorcroft, WY, February 2, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1997, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Moorcroft, WY
- Coordinates: 44.260383, -104.949287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2604&lon=-104.9493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA056

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed.  A factor was the pilot's low altitude flight and maneuvering.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - lack of certification, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while maneuvering at low altitude, he stalled the airplane.  His FAA medical certificate had expired.

## Factual narrative

On February 2, 1997, approximately 0900 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N83347, was substantially damaged in a collision with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude approximately 15 miles south of Moorcroft, Wyoming.  The private pilot, the aircraft's sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local 14 CFR 91 flight from the Fuller Ranch and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot stated on his NTSB accident report that he "pulled up on a hill-turned to [the] left and stalled [the] [l]eft wing too close to [the] ground."  He also indicated on his report that his most recent FAA medical certificate had been issued in 1994.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83347](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83347), registered now, S/N 18-7609087, built 1976 (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: 18-7609087
- Airframe hours: 670
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leroy Fuller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1996, 14 hours before
- Departed: FULLER RANCH, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 520 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 235° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCC, 35 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 19970202001159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970202001159A), Feb 2, 1997: Piper PA18150, Moorecroft, WY, Substantial damage. Contour flying. Stalled on turning pullup to miss a hill. Left wing to close to ground. Medical expired.

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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