Piper PA-18A accident near Coolidge, Arizona, April 30, 1992
On April 30, 1992 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-18A, registered N1360C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Coolidge, Arizona (Dirt Road airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S USE OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 30, 1992 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Coolidge, Arizona · Dirt Road
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18A · all PA-18As on the register
- Registration
- N1360C · registry record · serial 18-2532
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD LANDED THE AIRCRAFT ON A DIRT ROAD NEAR A FARM MACHINERY CONCERN. AFTER CONDUCTING HIS BUSINESS, THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF EASTBOUND ON THE DIRT ROAD, WHICH HAD ABOUT 2,000 FT OF USABLE DISTANCE. ONCE AIRBORNE, THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOO LOW TO CLEAR THE POWER LINES AT THE END OF THE ROAD. THE WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT BEGIN A LEFT TURN TO AVOID THE POWER LINES AND THE LEFT WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CART WHEELED TO A STOP IN AN ADJACENT COTTON FIELD. THE WITNESSES SAID THAT 'HEAVY' AND 'GUSTING' WINDS FROM VARIABLE DIRECTIONS WERE PRESENT DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF RECORD FOR THE PILOT WAS A SECOND CLASS MEDICAL ISSUED APRIL 23, 1979.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-D2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: P10 Chandler AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,000 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.
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.