# NTSB ATL95LA124: Piper PA-18, N8048D, Conway, SC, July 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1995, 09:38 local (13:38 UTC) - Place: Conway, SC - Coordinates: 33.790493, -79.149688 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7905&lon=-79.1497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3585 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3585/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA124 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis WHILE PRACTICING THE PICKUP PHASE OF A BANNER TOWING OPERATION, ON A PRIVATE STRIP, IN CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HEARD A 'POP'. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DIVE. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD LOST ELEVATOR EFFECTIVENESS. THE DIVE SHALLOWED OUT BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 1995, at 0938 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N8048D, collided with a ditch and nosed over after the pilot lost control of the airplane near Conway, South Carolina. The banner tow flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Conway, at 0830 hours. Reportedly, the pilot was practicing the pickup phase of the banner operation, when he heard a "pop". The pilot stated that he then lost elevator effectiveness, and lost control of the airplane. The pilot also stated that he thought he had a mechanical problem. The aircraft went into a deep nose dive, and then shallowed out before colliding with a ditch and nosing over. No mechanical problem with the aircraft was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8048D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8048D), registered now, S/N 54-2592, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - 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: 54-2592 - Airframe hours: 8586 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Signs Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 1995, 69 hours before - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: NONE, Sky Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 518 total, 60 in this make and model, 453 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Observed at: CRE, 20 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 19950702015989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950702015989A), Jul 2, 1995: Piper PA18150, Conway, SC, Substantial damage. Practice banner pickup. Heard pop. Lost elevator control. Nose dived. Level just before hitting a ditch. No defects ## Other investigations on N8048D (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 ERA12LA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA453), Jul 15, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N8048D), North Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate use of carburetor heat during cruise flight, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing. 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.