# NTSB CHI93LA245: Piper PA-18, N1841A, Felton, MN, July 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1993, 19:30 local (Jul 2, 1993, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Felton, MN
- Coordinates: 47.069282, -96.500152 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0693&lon=-96.5002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA245

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A CRACKED CARBURETOR FLOAT, FUEL STARVATION, AND THE FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - cracked (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED A RESTRICTED LANDING AREA RUNWAY FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING, AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING.  THE PILOT PERFORMED A 180 DEGREE TURN TOWARD THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY A POST IMPACT FIRE.  THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CARBURETOR FLOAT WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS IN IT.  LIQUID EMERSION OF THE FLOAT REVEALED LIQUID PENETRATION INTO THE FLOAT. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 21 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1841A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1841A), registered now, S/N 18-1735, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1735
- Airframe hours: 3334
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alden Brendemuhl
- Registered owner: Alden Brendemuhl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1991, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 17 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 19930701022269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930701022269A), Jul 1, 1993: Piper PA18, Felton, MN, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Stalled trying to turn back. Composite carburetor float had cracks,allowed fuel to enter.

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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