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Atlas / NTSB / LAX90LA115

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event LAX90LA115

1990-03-13 SONOMA VALLEY, California, United States Airport · 0Q3 None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N3765Z

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

PIPER PA-18-150

Year of manufacture

1960 · 30 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)

Seats / Engines

2 seats · 1 engine

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A44D34

Registrant of record

KRUMM ARNO HERMANN

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

THE PILOTS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT AFTER EXPERIENCEING A SHIFT IN WIND.

Factual narrative

THE PILOT OF A PIPER PA-18 EXPERIENCED A GUST OF WIND FROM THE REAR SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THERE WAS INSUFFICCIENT ALTITUDE REMAINING FOR HIM TO RECOVER. THE PILOT MADE A LANDING INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1990_LAX90LA115.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.