# NTSB SEA97LA211: Piper PA-18-150, N91019, Mackay, ID, September 9, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1997, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Mackay, ID
- Coordinates: 43.950012, -113.840713 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9500&lon=-113.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA211

## Probable cause

The pilot misjudged the distance/altitude while on final approach.

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while on short final for the short field landing, the airplane settled and struck a four foot high fence that runs perpendicular to the runway.  The airplane landed hard just beyond the fence.  The landing gear collapsed and the right wing tip dragged on the ground.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 1997, at 1730 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N91019, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence post and subsequently landed hard and collapsed the landing gear at a private airstrip located ten miles east of Mackay, Idaho.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.

The pilot reported that he was landing to the north on the grass airstrip.  A four foot high fence crosses perpendicular to the approach end of the airstrip.  The pilot reported that while on short final for the short field landing, the airplane settled and struck the fence.  The airplane then landed hard just beyond the fence.  The landing gear collapsed and the right wing tip dragged on the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence
- Hard landing, landing
- Gear collapsed, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91019](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91019), registered now, S/N 18-8109063 (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: 18-8109063
- Airframe hours: 760
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles A. Rogler
- Registered owner: Consolidated Exporters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1996, 20 hours before
- Airport: Pass Creek Ranch, runway 36, 2,000 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 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 19970909047919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970909047919A), Sep 9, 1997: Piper PA18150, Mackey, ID, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot charles a. rogler, certificate #1712653, made a hard landing at a private airstrip on the pass creek ranch, 10 miles northeast of Mackey id. Post…

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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