# Accident 20030901035599A: Piper PA18150, Midland, VA, September 1, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 1, 2003, 18:29 local time
- Place: Midland, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.6339° N, 77.7572° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6339&lon=-77.7572&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7615Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7615Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18150
- Reported engine: LYC IO320A2B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 300 total, 90 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC03LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA187) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030901035599A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AFTER DEPARTING HORSE FEATHERS AIRPORT (53VA), WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AS THE PILOT REALIZED THAT A LANDING AT THE AIRPORT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN FIELD APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A GOPHER HOLE AND FLIPPED THE AIRCRAFT ON ITS BACK. ON-SITE EVALUATION REVEALED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH WING STRUTS, THE VERTICAL STABILIZER, AND THE RUDDER. IT WAS DETERMINED ON-SITE THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD ADEQUATE FUEL ON-BOARD. THERE WAS NO NOTICABLE DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER, INDICATING INFLIGHT ENGINE STOPPAGE. THE ENGINE WAS SENT TO EXECUTIVE AIR SERVICES, HAGARSTOWN, MN FOR EVALUATION. ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY NOTICABLE DAMAGE. THEREFORE, THE ACTUAL CAUSE FOR LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE CANNOT BE DETERMINED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC03LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA187), Sep 1, 2003: Piper PA-18-150 (N7615Z), Midland, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power due to unknown circumstances.

## Other reports on N7615Z (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19860304011909I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860304011909I), Mar 4, 1986: Piper PA18150 (N7615Z), Spanish Fork, UT, Minor damage. Bounced on landing, loss of directional control followed. Aircraft ground looped.
- [Accident 19820503013929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820503013929A), May 3, 1982: Piper PA18150 (N7615Z), Marfa, TX, Substantial damage. Instructor claims he could not overpower student during takeoff, aircraft ran through fence at end of runway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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