Piper PA-18-135 N1198C

Summary

On 31 October 2009 at about 16:59 local time, a Piper PA-18-135 registered N1198C, operated by Paul G. Fisher, was involved in an accident near Sikeston, Missouri, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 October 2009 at 16:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Sikeston, Missouri, United States

Nearest airport

Private

Coordinates

36.9683, -89.4975

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-135

Registration

N1198C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Paul G. Fisher

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sikeston → Cape Girardeau

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA034

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The single-engine tailwheel-equipped airplane was destroyed by post impact fire when the airplane impacted a metal carport type structure during takeoff roll from a private grass airstrip. No witnesses observed the airplane’s takeoff roll and impact with the metal structure. One witness reported that he heard the airplane during the takeoff roll and that the engine sounded like it was operating normally prior to impact. The airplane was departing to the south and the wind was from the west at about 10 knots. The on-site investigation revealed that there was a single tire imprint about 445 feet long which led from the right side of the runway centerline to the impact area on the metal structure. The airplane wreckage was located about 85 feet past the metal structure. Ground scars that were consistent with propeller strikes were found between the metal structure and the airplane wreckage. The inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The pilot who owned the airplane was in the rear seat, but he was not a certificated instructor pilot. The pilot rated passenger did not have a tailwheel endorsement to fly the airplane as required by the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61. The airplane owner’s handbook stated, “Solo operation of both models is normally from the front seat although rear seat operation is entirely feasible.”

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.