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NTSB Report
February 4, 1988 · Piper PA-18-125 · N1153A
Brighton, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Brighton, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-125
Tail Number
N1153A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN88FA062
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO 'BUZZ' THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO. WITNESSES STATED THAT N1153A FLEW OVER HOUSES AND BUILDINGS AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO A HIGH ALTITUDE, DO A 'WING OVER' OR 'HAMMERHEAD' MANUEVER, THEN DESCEND IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE DOWN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT REMAINED IN THAT ATTITUDE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. THE STUDENT HAD WRITTEN A LTR TO A GIRLFRIEND EXPRESSING HIS 'UNBELIEVABLE TALENT FOR FLYING.' THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 18 HOURS.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO 'BUZZ' THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO. WITNESSES STATED THAT N1153A FLEW OVER HOUSES AND BUILDINGS AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO A HIGH ALTITUDE, DO A 'WING OVER' OR 'HAMMERHEAD' MANUEVER, THEN DESCEND IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE DOWN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT REMAINED IN THAT ATTITUDE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. THE STUDENT HAD WRITTEN A LTR TO A GIRLFRIEND EXPRESSING HIS 'UNBELIEVABLE TALENT FOR FLYING.' THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 18 HOURS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:50 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-125
Tail NumberN1153A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290D · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT