# NTSB CHI99LA308: Piper PA-18-150, N90904, Granite City, IL, August 21, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1999, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Granite City, IL
- Coordinates: 38.710605, -90.119491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7106&lon=-90.1195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA308

## Probable cause

Loss of power for undetermined reason(s) and the rough/uneven.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said that during cruise flight the engine lost power.  During the forced landing on rough and uneven terrain the airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot said he did not know the nature or origin of the loss of engine power.  Subsequent to the accident, but after the airplane was moved to a location away from the accident site, an inspection of the engine and airframe failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies.  The top spark plugs were removed and had brown deposits on them.  The wings had been removed and no fuel remained in the fuel tanks; however, what fuel was present in the lines appeared blue in color, and was free of contamination.

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 1999, at 1015 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N90904, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power, near Granite City, Illinois.  The pilot said the landing area was rough and uneven.  The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The local flight departed Creve Coeur, Missouri, time unknown.

The pilot told officials that he did not know the nature or origin of the loss of engine power.  Subsequent to the accident, but after the airplane was moved to a location away from the accident site, an inspection of the engine and airframe failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies.  The top spark plugs were removed and had brown deposits on them.  The wings had been removed and no fuel remained in the fuel tanks; however, what fuel was present in the lines appeared blue in color, and was free of contamination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90904](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90904-2007-04-19), registration cancelled 2007-04-19, S/N 18-8109039 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8109039
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sons Of The Tundra
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1H0, CREVE COEUR, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,140 total, 90 in this make and model, 1,937 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALN, 15 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 19990821047709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990821047709A), Aug 21, 1999: Piper PA18150, Granite City, IL, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot said that during cruise flight the engine lost power. During the forced landing on rough and uneven terrain the airplane was substantially…

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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