# NTSB CEN13CA481: Super 18 S18-STD, N230AK, Humboldt, SD, August 10, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2013, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Humboldt, SD - Coordinates: 43.628334, -97.073333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6283&lon=-97.0733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA481 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87759/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87759 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA481 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent addition of water into the fuel system and his improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Super 18 S18-STD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=056268E), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Super 18 S18-STD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=056268E), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Super 18 S18-STD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=056268E), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Super 18 S18-STD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056268E), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine stopped producing power shortly after takeoff. He initially tried to land on a road, but the engine momentarily re-started before it stopped completely. The pilot then made a forced landing to a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and airframe. Examination of the engine found water in the carburetor. The pilot stated that when he placed auto gas in the airplane's fuel tanks earlier that day, he used gas cans from his shop, which most likely contained water. He also did not sump the wing tanks prior to the flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the engine stopped producing power shortly after takeoff. He initially tried to land on a road, but the engine momentarily re-started before it stopped completely. The pilot then made a forced landing to a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and airframe. Examination of the engine found water in the carburetor. The pilot stated that when he placed auto gas in the airplane's fuel tanks earlier that day, he used gas cans from his shop, which most likely contained water. He also did not sump the wing tanks prior to the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N230AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N230AK-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N S18-STD-01, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SUPER 18 LLC S18-STD - Registry model: [Super 18 S18-STD](https://openairdocs.org/model/super-18-s18-std) (registry code 056268E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320-A2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-a2a) (registry code 42100, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: S18-STD-01 - Airframe hours: 333.9 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Super 18 LLC - Registered owner: Super 18 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2013 - Departed: None, Brandon, SD - Destination: Humboldt, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20130810015489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130810015489A), Aug 10, 2013: Super 18 LLC S18-STD, Humboldt, SD, Substantial damage. N230A a Super 18 LLC aircraft piloted by private pilot [privacy data omitted] flew the aircraft with his wife as a passenger from his private strip from… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87759. 164 KB in all. - Pilot's Written Statement and FAA Inspector's Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400418&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement%20and%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF - FAA statement/e-mail (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20statement%2Fe-mail-Redacted.PDF 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.