# NTSB SEA97LA218: Piper PA-18-150, N7153Z, Dixie, ID, September 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 1997, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Dixie, ID - Coordinates: 45.800586, -115.510864 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8006&lon=-115.5109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42697 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42697/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA218 ## Probable cause Shifting of a briefcase stored behind the pilot's seat to a position where it obstructed movement of the rudder pedals, resulting in loss of directional control capability. A factor was trees adjacent to the airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - cargo/baggage - shifted (cause) - flt control syst,rudder control - movement restricted (cause) - directional control - not possible - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that on takeoff, the rudder jammed in the full right position and he was unable to free it. The pilot attempted to pull up to clear trees adjacent to and right of the airstrip, but was unable to clear them. The airplane crashed into the trees. No problems were found with the rudder control in post-accident examination. The pilot stated he believed a canvas briefcase behind the pilot's seat may have moved (or been moved) to one side or the other, possibly creating an obstruction to the rear rudder pedals. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 1997, approximately 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N7153Z, registered to Brown Tie & Lumber Co. of McCall, Idaho, crashed during initial climbout after takeoff from a private airstrip at the Yellow Pine Bar Ranch near Dixie, Idaho, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot-in-command was seriously injured in the accident, and a passenger in the aircraft received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight to Dixie, Idaho. A copy of a local sheriff's report indicated that "The plane took off on a downhill runway [approximately 1,500 feet long], and reached an altitude of about 20 feet. For unknown reasons, it made a right turn and collided with several trees near the side of the runway. The plane came to rest in the trees there." Fuel was observed leaking from the aircraft after the accident. A resident of the ranch reported to the responding deputy that there was no wind at the time of the crash. The passenger, who was riding in the aircraft's rear seat at the time of the accident, reported that it was a clear, calm day, and that prior to takeoff the pilot checked the controls. He stated that the takeoff appeared normal, but that after takeoff the plane started a slight right drift. The passenger stated that the drifting action put the aircraft into the trees. The pilot, who remained in intensive care at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, for an extended period of time following the crash, was contacted and interviewed by telephone at his residence in McCall, Idaho, on October 2, 1998. In the telephone interview, the pilot reported that on takeoff, the rudder jammed. The pilot stated that he tried to unjam it by moving the rudder pedals back and forth, but that the rudder remained jammed full right. He stated that by this point, he was airborne. The pilot stated that once in the air, he tried to get over the trees by pulling up, but that this put him in a slip, and he could not gain enough altitude to clear the trees. The pilot reported that both he and an FAA representative examined the airplane following the accident, and that neither of them were able to find any problems with the rudder control. The pilot stated that he believed his passenger may have moved a canvas briefcase to one side or the other of the seat behind the pilot, creating an obstruction of the rear rudder pedals. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7153Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7153Z), registered now, S/N 18-8266, built 1965 (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: 18-8266 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Frank E. Brown - Registered owner: Brown Tie & Lumber Co. - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1997 - Destination: ID05, ID - Airport: Yellow Pine Bar Ranch ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19970928029249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970928029249A), Sep 28, 1997: Piper PA18150, Mackay Bar, ID, Substantial damage. Crashed under unknown circumstances. ## Other investigations on N7153Z (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 GAA15CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA070), Apr 4, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N7153Z), Cornelia, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. - [NTSB WPR11LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA136), Feb 16, 2011: Piper PA18 (N7153Z), Twin Falls, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to compensate for the wind, which resulted in the airplane being blown over after completion of the landing roll. 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.