# NTSB ATL05CA151: Piper PA-18-105, N262T, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, August 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2005, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.819797, -78.670684 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8198&lon=-78.6707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62301 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62301/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA151 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot departed Grand Stand Airport on a routine banner tow flight around the North Myrtle Beach area. The airplane had flown for about two and a half hours and was at an altitude of 500 feet when the engine started to run rough. The engine continued to run rough for 45-60 seconds followed by the engine completely losing power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful and the pilot chose to ditch the airplane in the Atlantic Ocean. The airplane was ditched 125 yards from the coast and was recovered by witnesses at the scene of the accident. Post accident-examination of the airplane revealed saltwater throughout the engine and engine accessories. Saltwater was drained from the recovered engine and the engine was started and a functional run was accomplished. According to carburetor icing charts, weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat during the flight. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2005, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-105, N262T, registered to and operated by Barnstormer Flite Signs Inc, collided with the Atlantic Ocean at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The banner tow flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane received substantial Damage. The flight departed Grand Stand Airport, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at 1330 August 22, 2005. The pilot departed Grand Stand Airport on a routine banner tow flight around the North Myrtle Beach area. The airplane had flown for about two and a half hours and was at an altitude of 500 feet when engine started to run rough. The engine continued to run rough for 45-60 seconds followed by the engine completely losing power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful and the pilot chose to ditch the airplane in the Atlantic Ocean. The airplane was ditched 125 yards from the coast and was recovered by witnesses at the scene of the accident. Post accident-examination of the airplane revealed saltwater throughout the engine and engine accessories. Saltwater was drained from the recovered engine and the engine was started and a functional run was accomplished. The pilot stated there was 15 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank and 5 gallons remaining in the right fuel tank when he ditched the airplane. Weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N262T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N262T), registered now, S/N 18-2376, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-105 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18 105](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105) (registry code 7101809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2376 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barnstormer Flite Signs INC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KCRE, N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Destination: KCRE, N. Myrtle Beach - Airport: KCRE, Grand Stand Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,800 total, 132 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F ## 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 20050822019699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050822019699A), Aug 22, 2005: Piper PA18105, North Myrtle Be, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 22, 2005 at 1615 local time, the PIC was towing a banner southbound along the shore at north Myrtle beach, SC. The PIC experienced engine power… 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.