# NTSB ATL01LA042: Piper PA-18A-150, N7471D, Niceville, FL, March 30, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2001, 07:34 local (13:34 UTC) - Place: Niceville, FL - Coordinates: 30.529151, -86.480934 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5292&lon=-86.4809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Ft. Lauderdale FSDO-17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52003/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA042 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis During a flight around the traffic pattern to check the weather, the commercial pilot stated that when he was on the downwind leg the engine lost power. According to the pilot he attempted to get back to the runway, but did not have enough power to make it and crashed into trees. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of internal failure, no loss of required electrical spark or any fuel system abnormaliities. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were conducive for carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2001, at approximately 0734 central standard time, a Piper PA-18A-150, N7471D, collided with trees 75 yards due east of Ruckel Airport in Niceville, Florida. The positioning flight was operated by Aerial Sign Company under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. The positioning flight departed Ruckel Airport in Niceville, Florida, at 0730 central standard time. According to the pilot, the purpose of the departure was to take a quick flight around the traffic pattern to see what the weather looked like away from the airport. He stated that he flew to the departure end of the 3,000 foot grass strip and turned right for downwind to land back at the airfield. He further stated that as he entered a right 20 degree bank the aircraft lost power and departed controlled flight. According to an eyewitness, who lives approximately 250 yards west of the runway centerline, first sighted the airplane when it was already airborne in a shallow climb. He stated that the airplane began to enter the base of the clouds, but did not fully disappear into the clouds. He stated the airplane immediately leveled off and then began a shallow right turn. He further stated as the airplane's nose passed through approximately northeast, he lost sight as his view of the airplane became restricted by his house and trees. He then stated approximately 5-10 seconds later, he heard the sound of the airplane impacting trees. Examination of the accident site, showed the airplane struck pine trees in it's descent and flipped inverted at a 75 degree nose down angle. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of internal failure, no loss of required electrical spark or any fuel system abnormalities. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7471D (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18A-150 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5806 - Airframe hours: 20890 - Engines: Lycoming O-360CIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 2001, 77 hours before - Departed: FL17, Niceville, FL - Destination: FL17 - Airport: FL17, Ruckel, runway 36, 3,000 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 20, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 30 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: VPS, 3 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010330007949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010330007949A), Mar 30, 2001: Piper PA18A150, Niceville, FL, Destroyed. (.19)On March 30, 2001, at 0838 central standard time, a Piper PA-18, N7471D, collided with trees 200 yards east of the departure airport in Niceville,… 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. --- 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.