# NTSB WPR14CA166: Piper PA 18-135, N1394Y, Kent, OR, April 12, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 12, 2014, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Kent, OR - Coordinates: 45.183612, -120.466392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1836&lon=-120.4664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89047 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89047/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89047 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA166 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Turbulence: wake turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032025/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Prop/jet/rotor blast/suction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/082); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/082/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/082/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane had spent the morning practicing hilltop landings with a second airplane, as a flight of two. The hilltop where the accident occurred was the third landing location. The landing was uphill and uneventful, and after coming to a stop he parked the airplane, exited, and went for a hike. After returning, the first airplane departed downhill successfully, with the accident airplane in trail. The pilot reported that once airborne, the airplane drifted left, and did not respond fully to his control inputs. He further stated that a slight upslope air movement was present, and that the slipstream from the propeller of the leading airplane may have contributed to the loss of control. The left wingtip struck a tree and the airplane tumbled. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the forward cabin during the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane had spent the morning practicing hilltop landings with a second airplane, as a flight of two. The hilltop where the accident occurred was the third landing location. The landing was uphill and uneventful, and after coming to a stop he parked the airplane, exited, and went for a hike. After returning, the first airplane departed downhill successfully, with the accident airplane in trail. The pilot reported that once airborne, the airplane drifted left, and did not respond fully to his control inputs. He further stated that a slight upslope air movement was present, and that the slipstream from the propeller of the leading airplane may have contributed to the loss of control. The left wingtip struck a tree and the airplane tumbled. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the forward cabin during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1394Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1394Y), registered now, S/N 18-3357, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (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: 18-3357 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 3746.1 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2013, 13.3 hours before - Departed: NONE, Chukar Flats, OR - Destination: NONE, Kent, OR - Airport: NONE, Unimproved Landing Site ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2012; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,028 total, 187 in this make and model, 16,677 as pilot in command, 34.7 in the last 90 days, 11.8 in the last 30 days, 12.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 16 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KDLS, 42 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 20140412005399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140412005399A), Apr 12, 2014: Piper PA-18-135, Condon, OR, Substantial damage. Landed at an off airport remote site along a ridgeline in central Oregon. On takeoff aircraft struck a tree or large shrub and ended up flipping over resulting… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89047. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Accident%20Site%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Takeoff Location (item 3, .PDF, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Takeoff%20Location%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 3 – Tree Struck During Takeoff (item 4, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20Tree%20Struck%20During%20Takeoff%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 4 – Tree Struck During Takeoff (item 5, .PDF, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20%E2%80%93%20Tree%20Struck%20During%20Takeoff%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 5 – Main Wreckage (item 6, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 6 – Main Wreckage (item 7, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage%0D%0A-Master.PDF 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.