Piper PA-18 accident near Conway, South Carolina, April 15, 2002
On April 15, 2002 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-18, registered N802DA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Conway, South Carolina (Sky Field). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to use proper wind correction technique, resulting in a loss of directional control of the aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 15, 2002 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Conway, South Carolina · Sky Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18 · all PA-18s on the register
- Registration
- N802DA · registry record · serial 18-3353
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with a ditch as the pilot taxied to the ramp after landing. The pilot stated a gust of wind caused the airplane to swerve, and there was not enough time to correct. The left main wheel of the aircraft slid into a ditch along the left side of the runway, causing the left wing tip to strike the ground. The airframe sustained structural damage. No mechanical or engine problems were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 588 hours in all; 67 in this make and model; 94 in the last 90 days; 78 in the last 30 days; 512 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,873 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 1, 2001; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Conway SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 1,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 4:47 pm from MYR, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N802DA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.