# NTSB ATL98LA116: Piper PA-12, N78583, Myrtle Beach, SC, August 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1998, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.689826, -78.889823 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6898&lon=-78.8898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43743 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43743/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the total loss of engine power. A factor was the pilot continued flight operation with known deficiencies in equipment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, emergency landing ## Analysis The day before the accident, the pilot reported an unspecified vibration in the engine during the flight of that day. On the day of the accident, the pilot reported that after the initial takeoff he experienced engine vibrations and was not comfortable about the first banner pickup of the morning. He decided to fly to a holding area to resolve the vibration problem. After about three minutes, the pilot returned and picked up the banner. After flying approximately five hours, the pilot reported what he described as a low frequency vibration in the engine. Moments later, the engine lost power, and the pilot was no longer able to maintain flight. The pilot elected to ditch the airplane. During the examination of the airplane, approximately one ounce of fuel was drained from the fuel line that connects to the left fuel tank. Examination of the fuel system failed to disclose breaches or leaks. The airplane was topped off with 38 gallons of fuel before the pilot departed. The normal fuel consumption for this airplane was approximately eight gallons per hour. The pilot stated that he 'may have run out of fuel.' ## Factual narrative On August 19,1998, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N78583, ditched in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the operator, following a loss of engine power near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The banner tow flight was operated by Barnstormer Flite Signs Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Considering the airframe damage described by the operator, the airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The banner tow flight initially departed Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at 0900. On August 18, 1998, the pilot reported that he experienced an unspecified vibration in the engine during the flight of that day. He also reported that the 50-hour oil change inspection was due and was not completed. On August 19, 1999, the pilot reported that after the initial takeoff of the day he experienced engine vibrations and was not comfortable about the first banner pickup of the morning. He decided to fly to a holding area to resolve the vibration problem. After about three minutes, the pilot returned and picked up the banner. After flying approximately five hours, the pilot reported what he described as a low frequency vibration in the engine. The pilot attempted to resolve the vibration problem by adjusting the mixture and checking the magnetos. Moments later, the engine lost power, and the pilot was no longer able to maintain flight. The pilot elected to ditch the airplane in the water east of Myrtle Beach Airport (see attached pilot statement). During the examination of the airplane, approximately one ounce of fuel was drained from the fuel line that connects to the left fuel tank. Examination of the fuel system failed to disclose breaches or leaks. The carburetor examination also failed to disclose the presence of fuel. According to the operator, N78583 was topped off with 38 gallons of fuel before the pilot departed. He also reported that the normal fuel consumption for this airplane with the Lycoming O-320 engine was approximately eight gallons per hour. During a telephone conversation with the pilot, he told the Federal Aviation Administrator Inspector that he "may have run out of fuel" (see attached inspector's report). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78583](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78583-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N 12-3970, built 1947 (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: 12-3970 - Airframe hours: 3611 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barnstomer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 1998 - Departed: CRE - Airport: CRE, N.Myrtle Beach Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CRE, 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 19980819028689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980819028689A), Aug 19, 1998: Piper PA12, Myrtle Beach, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 19, 1998 at approximately 1355 local time N78583, a Piper PA-12 crashed into the ocean approximately 5 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach… ## Other investigations on N78583 (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 MIA91LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA135), May 4, 1991: Piper PA-12 (N78583), Stuart, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH FAILED TO DETECT CORROSION ON THE RUDDER CABLE. THE PILOT LOST DIRECTION CONTROL DURING LANDING WHEN THE RUDDER CABLE BROKE. 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.