Piper PA-18 accident near Yamhill, Oregon, June 1, 1982
On June 1, 1982, a Piper PA-18, registered N7525K, was destroyed in an accident near Yamhill, Oregon (Flying "M" Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 1982
- Place
- Yamhill, Oregon · Flying "M" Ranch
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18 · all PA-18s on the register
- Registration
- N7525K · no longer on the register · serial 1931
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF RUNWAY 8 AND COLLIDED WITH A SPLIT RAIL FENCE. THE AIRCRAFT THEN CROSSED A GRAVEL ROAD AND STRUCK A WIRE CATTLE FENCE CATCHING ON FIRE WITHIN SECONDS AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE WEST-NORTHWEST AT 6 KNOTS GUSTING TO 15. THE AIRSTRIP LIES IN A MOUNTAINOUS VALLEY WITH MOUNTAINS ON THREE SIDES. DUE TO THE TERRAIN, MOST PILOTS FOLLOW AN UNOFFICIAL BUT ESTABLISHED PROCEDURE OF LANDING TO THE WEST AND DEPARTING TO THE EAST REGARDLESS OF THE WIND FACTOR.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,082 hours in all; 308 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 1,996 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 900 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: HIO Yamhill OR at 3:00 pm
- Destination: Oregon Coast OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,800 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- Temperature: 149°F (65°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.