Casualties unknown

Aircraft Damaged During Low-Altitude Maneuver (N6883B)

Newcastle, WY, US

On April 1, 2003, a Piper PA-18A-150 (registration N6883B) was involved in an aviation accident near Newcastle, WY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Contributing factors include inadequate in-flight planning and decision making by the pilot, and the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

While checking cattle, a pilot reversed course, causing the wing tip to hit terrain. The aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest inverted with substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage.

Overview

The pilot was engaged in a low-altitude operation to check cattle. During a reversal of course to the right, the aircraft's wing tip struck the terrain. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel before coming to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage.

Pilot and Aircraft Information

FAA records indicate that the pilot's last medical certificate was issued on February 1, 1994. The pilot did not report having a current flight review. Additionally, no record of an annual inspection for the aircraft was found.

Damage Assessment

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. The aircraft came to rest inverted after the wing tip impact and subsequent cartwheel sequence.

Investigation Findings

No further details regarding the pilot's qualifications or aircraft maintenance history were available beyond the records mentioned.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030407X00448. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.