# NTSB CHI89LA120: Piper PA-18-150, N1961P, Middletown, OH, June 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1989, 20:30 local (Jun 24, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, OH
- Coordinates: 39.560691, -84.420799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5607&lon=-84.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA120

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION FROM IMPROPER MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY THE PILOT AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES DURING THE ATTEMPTED ENGINE RESTART. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT AND THE TERRAIN CONDITION (BARLEY CROP).

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG FLT AT 1500 FT, HE REACHED FOR THE ELEVATOR TRIM & INADVERTENTLY ROTATED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO ONE OF THE OFF POSITIONS. THE ENG THEN LOST POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. THE PLT ESTABLISHED A GLIDE TO A NEARBY FIELD & ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG. HOWEVER, HE HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING SPEED DRG THE EMERGENCY APCH & ELECTED TO CONCENTRATE ON FLYING THE ACFT. WHEN HE LANDED IN A BARLEY FIELD, THE WHEELS CONTACTED THE CROP & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT RPRTD HE HAD A TOTAL OF 3 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1961P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1961P), registered now, S/N 18-4190, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 4190
- Airframe hours: 2388
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hogan Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1988, 74 hours before
- Departed: MWO, MIDDLETOWN, OH
- Destination: MWO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 113 total, 3 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG, 29 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 19890623021619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890623021619A), Jun 23, 1989: Piper PA18150, Middletown, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landed in a barley field and nosed over. Had inadvertently turned off fuel selector.

## Other investigations on N1961P (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 ANC97LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA102), Jul 12, 1997: Piper PA-18 (N1961P), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: water contamination of the fuel supply. Soft, unsuitable terrain for the precautionary landing were factors.

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.

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