# NTSB ATL96LA108: Piper PA-18, N7168K, Gatesville, NC, July 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1996, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Gatesville, NC - Coordinates: 36.400341, -76.749397 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4003&lon=-76.7494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3743 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3743/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA108 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in engine stoppage due to water contamination in the fuel system. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## 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 - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After takeoff from a canal in a float plane, while cruising about 500 feet above a swamp, the engine quit. The airplane was force landed in the swamp. Following the accident, the pilot examined the engine and found water in the gascolator and the fuel line between the gascolator and the carburetor. He also reported that the airplane was equipped with long range fuel tanks that had flush fitting fuel filler caps. Previously, he had had problems with water in the fuel. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1996, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N7168K, collided with trees and the ground, following a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Gatesville, North Carolina, about five minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that the float equipped airplane departed from a canal in Gatesville. He was flying locally to a river about five miles from the canal. After take off, the pilot turned toward the river, over flying a swamp adjacent to the canal. After less than five minutes of flight, the engine sputtered and quit. Since the flight was cruising about 500 feet above the ground, according to the pilot, there was little time to respond, and he did not apply carburetor heat. The ambient conditions were conducive to carburetor icing. The pilot also stated that he had extended range fuel tanks with flush mounted fuel filler caps, and had previously had problems with water in the fuel tanks, particularly following rain. There had been recent rains because of a local hurricane. According to the pilot's report, he subsequently examined the fuel system and found water in the gascolator, and in the fuel line between the gascolator and the carburetor. He also reported that of four spark plugs removed for examination, two were black and two were clean. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7168K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7168K), registered now, S/N 18-388, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-388 - Airframe hours: 3095 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Claude D. Bundy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1996, 75 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 899 total, 81 in this make and model, 808 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ECG, 30 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 19960717017989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960717017989A), Jul 17, 1996: Piper PA18, Gatesville, NC, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Floatplane struck trees landing. Found water in fuel. Had sat out in heavy rain. Flush caps. ## Other investigations on N7168K (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 DEN66D0203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66D0203), Jan 8, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N7168K), Littleton, CO, 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.