# NTSB WPR14CA339: Piper PA 18, N1765P, Lysite, WY, August 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2014, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Lysite, WY - Coordinates: 43.340278, -107.686943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3403&lon=-107.6869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89845 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA339 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89845/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89845 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA339 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure the airplane was configured for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he did not have the airplane configured properly for takeoff. During the takeoff roll from a field, he took his hand off the throttle to extend a notch of flaps. The throttle lever subsequently moved out and power was reduced. The pilot did not recognize the power reduction, or that the elevator trim was set to a nose down attitude before the airplane traveled off the runway, down an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he did not have the airplane configured properly for takeoff. During the takeoff roll from a field, he took his hand off the throttle to extend a notch of flaps. The throttle lever subsequently moved out and power was reduced. The pilot did not recognize the power reduction, or that the elevator trim was set to a nose down attitude before the airplane traveled off the runway, down an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1765P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1765P), registered now, S/N 18-4090, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18 (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C4P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c4p) (registry code 42289, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4090 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 3252 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hendry Robert - Registered owner: Hendry Robert - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2014 - Departed: LYSITE, WY - Destination: WRL, WORLAND, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2013; seat: front; flight hours: 3,415 total, 69 in this make and model, 3,415 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: RIW, 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 20140808013269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140808013269A), Aug 8, 2014: Piper PA-18, Lysite, WY, Substantial damage. On 8/8/2014 at approx 1400 LCL N1765P, a Piper PA-18 sustainied substantial damage when it impacted the ground while attempting to takeoff from a hay field… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89845. 736 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 686 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.