# Pitcairn PA-18 - Type: Aircraft model (FAA registry) - Registry code: 7180602 - Manufacturer (registry): PITCAIRN - Model: PA-18 - Aircraft type: Fixed wing single engine - Category: Airplane - Engines: 1 · Reciprocating - Seats: 1 - Weight class: Up to 12,499 lb - Certification: Type certificated - Data sheet: [TCDS ATC 478](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/ATC%20478) (OpenAirDocs) - Holder: Pitcairn Autogyro Co. - Registered aircraft: 2 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/model/pitcairn-pa-18 Model codes come from the FAA registry's reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker. ## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs) Matched to this model by model name and maker. Each AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. None matched. ## Registered aircraft (2) - [N1267B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1267B): [Weeks Kermit A](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/WEEKS%20KERMIT%20A), [Polk City, FL](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/FL/Polk%20City), built 1932, S/N G-65 - [N12680](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12680): [Ranger Airfield Foundation](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/RANGER%20AIRFIELD%20FOUNDATION), [Ranger, TX](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TX/Ranger), built 1932, S/N G-67 ## NTSB investigations (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 GAA17CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA092), Nov 18, 2016: Pitcairn PA 18 (N12680), Philadelphia, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to correct the gyroplane’s right roll during the landing, which resulted in the exceedance of its critical angle and a subsequent roll-over. Contributing to the accident were the… ## FAA accident and incident reports (1) 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. - [Accident 20161118023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161118023459A), Nov 18, 2016: Pitcairn PA-18 (N12680), Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. When landing on runway 33, just at touchdown, the pilot lost control, causing the prop and rotor blades to strike the ground. The right landing gear partially… ## Service difficulty reports (28) As reported by operators and repair stations, by the model named in the report. - [SDR 2026FA0000476](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2026FA0000476), Mar 3, 2026: STRUT. FRACTURED. PIPER PA-18 EXPERIENCED RIGHT HAND LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE AFTER LANDING ROLLOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO MAIN LANDING GEAR AND RIGHT WING ASSEMBLY. DETAIL INSPECTION FO - [SDR 2022FA0000361](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2022FA0000361), Jul 20, 2022: OIL COOLER. CRACKED. ORIGINAL OIL COOLER REPLACED 05/27/2022 DUE TO CRACKED MOUNTING FLANGES. NEW COOLER, S/N 4467 , FAILED AFTER 12 HOURS IN SERVICE, CRACKED ADJACENT TO TOP FITTIN - [SDR 2017FA0000414](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2017FA0000414), Aug 10, 2017: FUEL BOWL. DAMAGED. THE FUEL STRAINER COVER DEVELOPS A BOW AFTER A YEAR OF CONTINUOUS PRESSURE BEING PUT ON IT FROM THE WIRE ASSEMBLY CAUSING IT TO LEAK FUEL. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THA - [SDR 2016FA0000498](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2016FA0000498), Oct 12, 2016: PISTON RING. OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DURING TAKE OFF, WITH GLIDER IN TOW, AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED ENGINE SHUT DOWN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NR 3 PISTON RINGS WERE NOT INSTALLED - [SDR CA150527009](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CA150527009), May 14, 2015: CARBURETOR. DEFECTIVE. (CAN) AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF FOR ONE OF THE INITIAL FLIGHTS WITH THE NEWLY OVERHAULED FACTORY ENG. THE ACFT IS A PA22-160 BUSHMASTER & IS EQUIPPED WITH FLOATS. THE F - [SDR 2011FA0000280](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2011FA0000280), Apr 30, 2011: RETAINER. BROKEN. 37 HOURS SINCE THE ENGINE WAS LAST REASSEMBLED, THE VALVE COVERS WERE REMOVED. BROKEN PUSH ROD RETAINER SPRINGS WERE FOUND IN 3 OUT OF 4 CYLINDERS. 1 BROKEN STE - [SDR 22497](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/22497), Jan 31, 2008: RETAINER. BROKEN. ENGINE WAS DISASSEMBLED AND INSPECTED FOR PROP STRIKE INSPECTION. DURING TEST CELL OPERATION THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED AN OIL LEAK AT THE NR4 CYLINDER. FURTHER INS - [SDR 2008FA0000105](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2008FA0000105), Dec 4, 2007: FITTING. BROKEN. PILOT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ALONG A BEACH WHILE HUNTING. UPON LANDING, THE UPPER RT MLG CABANE FITTING BROKE. THE LANDING GEAR SAFETY - [SDR 2006FA0000980](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2006FA0000980), Sep 29, 2006: ROTOR. INOPERATIVE. PILOT NOTICED LACK OF POWER AND ROUGHNESS AFTER TAKEOFF. RETURNED TO FIELD, DISCOVERED INOPERATIVE RT MAGNETO. DISASSEMBLY OF RT MAGNETO REVEALED ROTOR SHAFT HA - [SDR 2006FA0000532](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2006FA0000532), May 21, 2006: CURRENT LIMITER. FAILED. CURRENT LIMITER BLOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. - [SDR CA051221002](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CA051221002), Dec 8, 2005: ATTACH BRACKET. CORRODED. REINFORCEMENT STRAP AT REAR SPREADER BAR ATTACHMENT LUG; INTERGRANULAR CORROSION DESTROYED PART FROM INSIDE OUT RESULTING IN LOOSE FASTENER. - [SDR CA050805003](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CA050805003), Aug 3, 2005: BAFFLE. WARPED. (CAN) EXCESSIVE EXHAUST BACK PRESSURE - MUFFLER 2 INCH STACK HOLE IN CAN 1.5 INCH DIAMETER LEFT A HIGH RESTRICTION CAUSING HIGH HEAT PROGRESSIVELY COLLAPSING TH - [SDR 2004FA0000364](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2004FA0000364), Mar 15, 2004: FUEL CONTROL. MISMARKED. AS MANUFACTURED, THE FUEL VALVE SELECTOR HANDLE CONSISTS OF A SMALL POINTER AND A SILVER HANDLE OPPOSITE OF EACH OTHER ON THE LT INTERIOR WALL BY THE FRONT SEAT - [SDR TAM1112200301](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/TAM1112200301), Oct 31, 2003: PLATE. FAILED. SPINNER BACKPLATE BRACKETS SEEM TO FAIL OFTEN, PICTURE NR 1. THIS PARTICULAR BACKPLATE APPEARS VERY NEW, THE AIRCRAFT HAS FLOWN 35 HOURS SINCE ANNUAL INSPECTION - [SDR 2003FA0000940](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2003FA0000940), Sep 18, 2003: BEARING. OVERHEATED. ALTERNATOR HARD TO ROTATE DUE TO NON-DRIVE END BEARING BEING PRESSED INTO HOUSING TOO FAR. BEARING COVER FOUND (BLUED) DUE TOO EXCCESIVE HEAT. DRIVE PULLEY HARD - [SDR CA030107011](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CA030107011), Aug 1, 2002: STRUCTURE. CRACKED. (CAN) LT STABILIZER REAR TUBE WAS FOUND CRACKED INBOARD OF THE OUTBOARD ELEVATOR HINGE. - [SDR 2001FA0000558](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2001FA0000558), Oct 26, 2001: STUD. BROKEN. BROKEN CYLINDER BASE STUDS, 5 STUDS BROKEN ON NR 1 CYLINDER, FOUND MIS-TORQUED ON NR 2, NR 3, AND NR 4, ALSO.(K) - [SDR CA010820014](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CA010820014), Jul 27, 2001: SCREW. BROKEN. (CAN) STABILIZER TRIM FOUND NOT WORKING ON PILOT'S WALK AROUND. DISASSEMBLE AND FOUND SCREW BROKEN IN HALF, JAMMED IN THE YOKE HOUSING. - [SDR 20010124CW004](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/20010124CW004), Dec 19, 2000: BELLCRANK. CRACKED. WHILE COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLING FOR RECOVERY, FOUND BOTH BELLCRANKS CRACKED. ONLY WAY TO SEE IS WITH MIRROR OR COMPLETE DISSASSEMBLE. BOTTOM OF BELLCRANK NOT CRA - [SDR 20000911SH041](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/20000911SH041), Aug 28, 2000: GEAR. FRACTURED. AIRCRAFT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR HAD 5 OR 6 TEETH MISSING AND THE R - [SDR 2000ZZZX500](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2000ZZZX500), Jan 17, 2000: CHANNEL. CORRODED. DURING RECOVERING OF AIRCRAFT, FOUND THE REAR WINDOW CHANNELS LEFT AND RIGHT WERE CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. - [SDR 2000ZZZX498](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2000ZZZX498), Jan 17, 2000: LONGERON. CORRODED. DURING LAST 6 AIRCRAFT RECOVERED BY FACILITY, 5 OF THESE AIRCRAFT HAD TO HAVE THE TOP LONGERON REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION DUE TO WATER BEING TRAPPED UNDER TH - [SDR 98ZZZX3125](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/98ZZZX3125), Aug 17, 1998: FITTING. CORRODED. WING FITTING CORRODED. THERE IS NO ACCESS FOR INSPECTION OF PART. AFTER ONE AIRCRAFT HAD WING SEPARATION AND DISCOVERED PART THAT CORRODED, INSPECTED ENTIRE FLE - [SDR 98ZZZX1993](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/98ZZZX1993), Apr 26, 1998: CONTROL CABLE. FAILED. CARBURETOR HEAT CABLE COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTED TO ACCIDENT. DURING INVESTIGATION, CABLE WAS FOUND DETACHED; APPARENTLY IT HAD BROKEN PRIOR TO OR AS A RES - [SDR 97ZZZX2785](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/97ZZZX2785), May 1, 1997: BELLCRANK. CRACKED. INSPECTION FOUND RT FLAP BELLCRANK CRACKED. REF: PIPER SB 109. - [SDR 97ZZZX2025](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/97ZZZX2025), Apr 22, 1997: TUBE. CORRODED. FAA APPROVED REPAIR STATION, THAT REBUILDS AND REPAIRS PA-18 FUSELAGE FRAMES, HAS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM, IN FINDING SEVERE CORROSION ON APPROX 35 PERCENT OF THE - [SDR 95ZZZX6391](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/95ZZZX6391), Oct 25, 1995: TANK. LEAK. TANK HAD SMALL LEAK AFT SEAM MID-WAY BETWEEN SIDES. FOUND SMALL CRACK, .50 INCH, WELDED SEAM FOR 4 INCHES EITHER SIDE OF CRACK. SUBMITTER STATED NO APPARENT REA - [SDR 95ZZZX3523](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/95ZZZX3523), Jun 19, 1995: FUEL TANK. DAMAGED. TOP FORWARD INBOARD CORNER BASHED IN CAUSING A SEAM TO LEAK. ALSO, FOUND LARGE WELD AROUND VENT. THIS WAS CUT OUT AND A NEW VENT INSTALLED. PRESSURE TESTED AT 1 ## STCs that may be installed (OpenAirDocs) (1) Approved for this model: the STC's model list names it on its data sheet, or a series that includes it. In force first, then newest. The registry doesn't record which STCs an aircraft has. - [STC SA01734SE](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA01734SE): Application of Stewart Systems synthetic fabric covering system to aircraft fuselage, wings, tail surfaces, control surfaces and related parts. Andrew D. Humphrey ## The same model under other registry codes Amateur-built copies and renamed makers get their own codes. - [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18): 477 registered aircraft, registry code 7101802 - [Johnson Christopher D PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-christopher-d-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05615YU - [Cox Vernon Lewis PA 18](https://openairdocs.org/model/cox-vernon-lewis-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05617C0 - [Mcclure David L PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcclure-david-l-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05617Y9 - [Protzman James C PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/protzman-james-c-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 056249D - [Wittenberg Dennis E PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/wittenberg-dennis-e-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05629K0 - [Fly Holly W PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/fly-holly-w-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05629RF - [Robert D Blaszak PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-d-blaszak-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05632SI - [Nelson Garrison PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-garrison-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05635OL - [Clarence C Cravens PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/clarence-c-cravens-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 056379J - [Aaron T Burcham PA 18](https://openairdocs.org/model/aaron-t-burcham-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05637PZ - [Eddie T Knudson PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/eddie-t-knudson-pa-18): 1 registered aircraft, registry code 05637UX --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.