Piper PA-18-150 accident near Middleville, New York, May 4, 2002
On May 4, 2002 at about 10:10 pm local time, a Piper PA-18-150, registered N4151F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Middleville, New York ((Private) airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway after being struck by a gust of wind. Factors were the gusty winds and the berm struck by the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 2002 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Middleville, New York · (Private) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-150 · all PA-18-150s on the register
- Registration
- N4151F · registry record · serial 1809047
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff on a turf strip, with the wind blowing down the runway. As the airplane became airborne, it was struck by a gust of wind and blown to the right, off the side of the runway. Although the airplane was correcting back to the runway, there were obstacles ahead and the pilot elected to reject the takeoff. The airplane struck a berm with a main landing gear wheel and came to rest inverted. An FAA inspector reported the airport was located on top of a hill and subject to variable winds.
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: 171 hours in all; 155 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 171 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 29, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 509 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 4, 2001; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Middleville NY at 10:10 pm
- Destination: NONE NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 1,900 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from UCA, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.