# NTSB CHI94LA090: Piper PA-18-150, N66ND, Grand Forks, ND, February 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 1994, 09:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.910072, -97.07064 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9101&lon=-97.0706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9471/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA090 ## Probable cause FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR BY THE STUDENT PILOT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - fluid,fuel - starvation - fuel tank selector position - improper, dual student (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - snow covered ## Analysis The instructor and pilot rated student were practicing pattern work. The instructor asked the student to switch the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank. The student moved the selector but did not look at it. He inadvertently selected the OFF position. The engine quit, and could not be restarted. The instructor landed the airplane about 50 yards short of the runway. The main landing gear wheels dug into the snow during landing roll, and the airplane nosed-over. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 1994, a Piper PA-18-150, N66ND, operated by the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, sustained substantial damage when airplane had a loss of engine power and the pilot landed short of the runway at the Grand Forks International Airport. Neither the instructor pilot nor the pilot-rated student were injured. The instructional flight originated at the Grand Forks Airport at 0845. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The instructor and student were doing pattern work. The instructor asked the student to switch fuel tanks from right to left. The student reported he "...didn't look and check the fuel selector position." He inadvertently switched the fuel selector to OFF. The instructor landed the airplane about 50 yards short of the runway. The wheels dug into the snow during landing roll, and the airplane nosed-over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66ND](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66ND), registered now, S/N 1809046, built 1989 (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: 1809046 - Airframe hours: 1542 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: King, William J.L. - Registered owner: University Of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 5, 1994, 64 hours before - Airport: GFK, Grand Forks, runway 35R, 3,900 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,606 total, 500 in this make and model, 8,392 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -8 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GFK ## 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 19940221002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940221002699A), Feb 21, 1994: Piper PA18150, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Student pilot moved fuel selector to off position on final. Instructor unable to see. Nosed over after landing. ## Other investigations on N66ND (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 CHI05CA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA068), Feb 9, 2005: Piper PA-18-150 (N66ND), Larimore, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The CFI's delay in applying remedial action which resulted in a loss of directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the student's excessive application of rudder… 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.