N9086Y

Substantial
None

Piper PA-18-150S/N: 18-8914

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, December 23, 2007
NTSB Number
SEA08CA053
Location
Truckee, CA
Event ID
20080125X00105
Coordinates
39.472778, -120.332496
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The loss of partial engine power during cruise for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the snow covered terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N9086Y
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-8914
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2011
Model / ICAO
PA-18-150PA18
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WEAVER AERO INTERNATIONAL INC
Address
1120 E COLE ST
Status
Deregistered
City
MOUNDRIDGE
State / Zip Code
KS 67107-7142
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot said that while flying over mountainous terrain, his engine started running rough. There was a large snow covered meadow beneath him, so he circled it while trying to resolve his engine problem. His attempts to regain full power were unsuccessful. The airplane was equipped with large tundra tires, and the pilot believed that a precautionary landing under partial power was more prudent than proceeding to the nearest airport while crossing mountain ridges and over flying the surrounding forest. During a wheel landing in the snow, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The forward section of the airframe, both wings spars, and the vertical stabilizer were bent. The reason for the partial power loss was undetermined.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA08CA053