# NTSB UNK64X3236: Piper PA18A, N4478A, Mendota, IL, August 6, 1964

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 6, 1964
- Place: Mendota, IL · MENDOTA, IL
- Location: 41.5567° N, 89.1005° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mendota, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5567&lon=-89.1005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 22, 1964
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 182330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=UNK64X3236
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3236

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2366   64/8/6    MENDOTA ILL         PIPER PA18A         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 1600
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N4478A              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1600                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - BEANS                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  600                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4478A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4478A), registered now, S/N 18-4835, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18A
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N4478A (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 ANC94LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA116), Aug 29, 1994: Piper PA-18 (N4478A), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S SELECTING A GRAVEL BAR FOR A NORMAL LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT SPOT IN THE GRAVEL BAR.

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.