# NTSB CEN24LA076: Piper PA-18A 150, N2774P, Vermillion, SD, December 29, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 29, 2023, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Vermillion, SD - Coordinates: 42.76879, -96.941175 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7688&lon=-96.9412&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 193583 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193583/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193583 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA076 ## Probable cause The pilot’s encounter with carburetor icing during landing final approach which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was on final approach for landing at the destination airport when the engine lost total power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a flat snow-covered field short of the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and sustained damage to the left forward lift strut. During the recovery of the airplane, snow discoloration consistent with fuel staining was observed around the area of the fuel caps. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed fuel was present in the fuel lines, and no mechanical anomaly or failure was identified that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide power. Although the pilot stated that he used carburetor heat from power reduction on downwind, he turned it off during the base leg. Thus, carburetor icing likely formed during final descent for landing. ## Factual narrative On December 29, 2023, about 1200 central standard time, a Piper PA-18A 150 airplane, N2774P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Vermillion, South Dakota. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the airplane was on final for runway 30 at the Harold Davidson Field Airport, when the engine lost total power. The pilot said the airplane did not have enough altitude for him to correct for the sudden power loss, so he performed a forced landing to a flat, snow-covered field short of the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and sustained damage to the left forward lift strut. During the recovery of the airplane, snow discoloration consistent with fuel staining was observed around the area of the fuel caps. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed fuel was present in the fuel lines, and no mechanical anomaly or failure was identified that would have precluded normal operation. Based on information obtained from a review of weather model data for the area, the weather reported near the accident site at the time of the accident included a temperature of -2.6°C and a dew point of -6.9°C. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was 72.3%. Review of the icing probability chart contained within FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. The pilot stated that he used carburetor heat from power reduction on downwind but turned it off during the base leg. Carburetor icing most likely formed during final descent for landing. According to the carburetor probability icing chart, conditions for carburetor icing at glide power were present. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2774P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2774P), registered now, S/N 18-4403 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A 150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4403 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Airport: MVR, Harold Davidson Field Airport, runway 30, 4,105 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 55,000 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KSUX, 34 nm away - METAR: KSUX 291752Z 32007KT 10SM CLR M01/M06 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP194 T10061056 11006 21056 58006 ## 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 20231229020269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231229020269A), Dec 29, 2023: Piper PA-18A 150, Vermillion, SD, Substantial damage. On 12/29/2023 at 1200 a Piper PA-18-150 [privacy data omitted]. Was involved in an accident during landing during a personal flight. VMC flight conditions… ## Other investigations on N2774P (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 MKC66F0146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0146), Aug 12, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N2774P), Ft Dodge, IA, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193583. 4.3 MB in all. - Recreated - pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19574374&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Recreated_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Original - pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19488611&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot phone call mor (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19488086&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Phone%20Call%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19487941&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Engine exam mor (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19574669&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Exam%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Meteorology - temp/dew point email mor (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19487857&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20Review%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Meteorology - carburetor icing chart (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19487951&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Graph-Rel.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.