Piper PA-18 N91254

Summary

On 3 October 2007 at about 21:10 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N91254 was involved in an accident near Crowley Ranch, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 October 2007 at 21:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Crowley Ranch, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Crowley Ranch Airstrip (78OR)

Coordinates

43.3078, -117.8942

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N91254

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Crowley Ranch → Crowley Ranch

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA08FA005

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transmission line while maneuvering. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's diverted attention, and decision to maneuver at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to witnesses near the accident site, the pilot was maneuvering the airplane while herding cattle when the accident occurred. A witness reported that he observed the airplane "...dive down at the cows and then pull up at a pretty sharp angle." The witness stated this occurred twice, and after the second maneuver, the pilot initiated a 360 degree turn. After completing the turn, with the wings level, the airplane collided with a series of power transmission lines that were located at the pilot's 12 o'clock position. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain. Postaccident examination and teardown of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure prior to impact.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.