# NTSB ATL92LA100: Piper PA-18-150, N3841Z, Soccastee, SC, May 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1992, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Soccastee, SC
- Coordinates: 33.689502, -78.890823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6895&lon=-78.8908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF HIS FUEL IN THAT HE EXHAUSTED FUEL IN ONE TANK, THEN FAILED TO SELECT THE TANK WITH FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A BANNER TOW FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ALTERNATELY SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. AS HE DEPARTED THE OPERATING AREA TO RETURN TO BASE, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A FIELD WHERE THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT HE WENT TO THE ACCIDENT SITE & FOUND NO FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT TANK WAS NEARLY FULL, HE SAID. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION. AFTER RIGHTING THE AIRPLANE, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO START THE ENGINE. WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS MOVED TO THE RIGHT TANK POSITION, THE ENGINE STARTED AND OPERATED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT IT WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3841Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3841Z), registered now, S/N 18-7595, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7595
- Airframe hours: 5618
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Sky Signs, Inc.
- Registered owner: Emu, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 18, 1992, 73 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CONWAY, SC
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,269 total, 280 in this make and model, 1,110 as pilot in command, 323 in the last 90 days, 135 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 15 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 19920513014759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920513014759A), May 13, 1992: Piper PA18150, Coccastee, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on banner tow. Dropped banner. Nosed over landing in field. Fuel selector on empty tank. Other tank full

## Other investigations on N3841Z (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 FTW77DPA27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DPA27), Jul 22, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N3841Z), Leonard, TX, substantial damage

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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