# NTSB ATL91LA112: Piper PA-12, N2GV, Conway, SC, June 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1991, 13:36 local (17:36 UTC)
- Place: Conway, SC
- Coordinates: 33.789993, -79.150657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7900&lon=-79.1507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA112

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO EXHAUST VALVE, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE BANNER TOW PILOT WAS CRUISING ADJACENT TO A LOCAL GOLF COURSE AT 1000 AGL WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A GRADUAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN FULL POWER AND RESTART THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE INTO POSITION FOR AN APPROACH TO A FAIRWAY AND RELEASED THE BANNER.  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST 15 FEET OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE FAIRWAY IN A WOODED AREA. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATIONS OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE #2 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED.  THE ENGINE WAS LAST OVERHAULED 2556 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT.  THE EXHAUST VALVE'S TIME IN SERVICE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2GV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2GV), registered now, S/N 12-824, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-824
- Airframe hours: 2556
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Sky Signs, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sky Signs, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1990, 180 hours before
- Departed: CONWAY, SC
- Destination: N MYRTLE BEACH, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,293 total, 1,581 in this make and model, 4,058 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 25 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 19910615022239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910615022239A), Jun 15, 1991: Piper STCPA12, Conway, SC, Substantial damage. Engine failed. Dropped banner. Overshot fairway into trees on forced landing. Broken exhaust valve.

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.

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