# NTSB Accident SEA99FA080
> **Piper PA-18-150** · 1999-06-03 · EPHRATA, WA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** SEA99FA080
- **Event ID:** 20001212X19109
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1999-06-03
- **Location:** EPHRATA, WA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 47.2709, -119.590812
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-18-150
- **Registration:** N3189Z
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The glider pilot's failure to maintain control of his aircraft during spoiler retraction, which led to the Piper pilot's inability to recover safe flying airspeed within the altitude constraints at the time of the event. Contributing factors were the failure of the glider pilot to ensure that the spoilers were locked prior to takeoff, and the binding of the tow aircraft's tow hook release latch.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=SEA99FA080) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*