On August 13, 1982, a Piper PA-18 (registration N83620) operated by Mike L. Mekling was involved in an aviation accident near Hardin, MI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The wreckage of an aircraft was found west of a farm runway, with evidence of right rotation at impact. A witness observed the pilot in the rear seat during earlier flights but in the front seat at the time of the accident.
Accident Details
The wreckage was located approximately three-quarters of a mile west of the northwest end of a farm runway. The position corresponded to the point where a right turn would be made from the downwind leg to the base leg of a right-hand traffic pattern for the southeast runway.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage showed evidence of a right rotational moment at the time of impact.
Witness Account
A witness observed the aircraft performing several takeoffs and landings prior to the accident. During those earlier flights, the pilot was seen in the rear seat. At the time of the accident, the pilot was in the front seat.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…