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NTSB Report
May 26, 1991 · Piper PA-18-125 · N1799A
Newell, SD
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Newell, SD
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-125
Tail Number
N1799A
Operator
Orwick Ranch
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91DTK01
THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE USING THE AIRPLANE TO SEARCH FOR NEWBORN LIVESTOCK. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE, 'IN A SPIN. IT ROTATED TOW OR THREE TIMES COMPLETELY AROUND.' IT WENT OUT OF SIGHT BEHIND A HILL AND THE WITNESS SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES AND WENT TO THE SCENE. RECORDS SHOW THE PILOT'S LAST PERIOD OF DUAL INSTRUCTION, WHICH INCLUDED AN ENDORSEMENT FOR SOLO FLIGHT, ELEVEN MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE LISTED AN EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF 275 FLIGHT HOURS. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES AND INADEQUATE INITIAL TRAINING.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE USING THE AIRPLANE TO SEARCH FOR NEWBORN LIVESTOCK. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE, 'IN A SPIN. IT ROTATED TOW OR THREE TIMES COMPLETELY AROUND.' IT WENT OUT OF SIGHT BEHIND A HILL AND THE WITNESS SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES AND WENT TO THE SCENE. RECORDS SHOW THE PILOT'S LAST PERIOD OF DUAL INSTRUCTION, WHICH INCLUDED AN ENDORSEMENT FOR SOLO FLIGHT, ELEVEN MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE LISTED AN EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF 275 FLIGHT HOURS. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-125
Tail NumberN1799A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorOrwick Ranch
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0290 DTC · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 15 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT