# NTSB CHI92FA145: Piper PA-18, N7282K, Arnold, NE, May 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1992, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Arnold, NE
- Coordinates: 41.419059, -100.190704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4191&lon=-100.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE CARBURETOR FLOAT LEVEL BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON, AND THE PILOT'S DISREGARDING WEIGHT-AND-BALANCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper
  - fuel system,carburetor float
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, unknown (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft weight and balance - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - uphill

## Analysis

A PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS BOARDED A TWO-SEAT AIRPLANE.  ONE PASSENGER KNELT BEHIND THE REAR SEAT, PLACING THE AIRPLANE AT ITS REAR CG LIMIT. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED A MILE FROM ITS FARM STRIP, IN A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT CUTTING OUT.  NEARING 180 DEGREES OF TURN, THE AIRPLANE ABRUPTLY PITCHED DOWN AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT.  NO AIRFRAME DISCREPANCY WAS FOUND.  THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING RICH DUE TO CARBURETOR FLOAT MALADJUSTMENT.  AUTO GAS DRAWN FROM THE FARM'S FUEL SUPPLY WAS STALE AND CONTAINED WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7282K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7282K-1994-03-07), registration cancelled 1994-03-07, S/N 18189 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-189
- Airframe hours: 1470
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beshaler, Charles F.
- Registered owner: Beshaler, Charles F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1991, 35 hours before
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 31, 1,500 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 290 total, 202 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BBW, 20 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 19920510014089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920510014089A), May 10, 1992: Piper PA18105SPEC, Arnold, NE, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Seen coming out of low clouds. Level off stalled. Dropped to ground. One passenger in baggage area.

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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