# NTSB ATL93LA022: Piper PA-18-150, N9128D, Columbia, SC, November 7, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 1992, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Columbia, SC - Coordinates: 34.090206, -80.919273 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0902&lon=-80.9193&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 21, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8702/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA022 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM FUEL STARVATION WHEN THE CARBURETOR FLOAT VALVE STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT FIELD . ## 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, climb - to cruise - fuel system,carburetor float - movement restricted (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT COMPLETED REFUELING THE AIRPLANE AND TOOK OFF TO CONTINUE THE BANNER TOW OPERATION. DURING CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE LOST POWER; THE PILOT'S EFFORTS TO RESTORE NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION FAILED. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT TO A SOYBEAN FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING; DURING THE TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF THE EMERGENCY, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THAT THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY BETWEEN IDLE AND THE MAXIMUM RPM RANGES. HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR EXAMINATION, DISCLOSED THAT THE FLOAT VALVE WOULD STICK IN THE CLOSED (FUEL OFF) POSITION. A REVIEW OF THE OPERATOR'S REFUELING POLICY REVEALED THAT A BLEND OF 100 LOW LEAD AVIATION FUEL AND AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE WERE USED IN AIRPLANES GRANTED A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE FOR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. N9128D WAS GRANTED AN STC FOR THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9128D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9128D), registered now, S/N 18-6509, built 1958 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6509 - Airframe hours: 6427 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 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, September 15, 1992, 48 hours before - Departed: CUB - Destination: CUB ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,696 total, 1,360 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 258 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 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 19921107045839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921107045839A), Nov 7, 1992: Piper PA18150, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Dropped banner. Nosed over in soybean field. Carburetor float valve stuck closed position. ## Other investigations on N9128D (3) 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 ANC26FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26FA106), Sep 18, 2026: Piper PA-18-150 (N9128D), Northway, AK, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ANC10CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA088), Sep 6, 2010: Piper PA-18-160 (N9128D), Arctic Village, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an off-airport landing. - [NTSB DEN87LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA139), May 30, 1987: Piper PA-18-150 (N9128D), Wolf Point, MT, 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. --- 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.