# NTSB DEN00LA056: Piper PA-18-150, N4069Z, Belen, NM, March 12, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 2000, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Belen, NM - Coordinates: 34.649974, -106.770141 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6500&lon=-106.7701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48778/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA056 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to low cylinder compression from an open exhaust valve, and the pilot's failure to lean the fuel mixture. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - short field takeoff/procedure - performed, pilot in command - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (contributing factor) - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - open (contributing factor) - mixture - not set, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot received his private pilot's license earlier that morning and was taking his brother for a ride. He said that shortly after he lifted off from an abandoned 800-foot airstrip (elevation unknown, but an airport 7 miles southeast of the accident site is at 5,194 feet msl) but using a short-field takeoff technique (full flaps), the engine began to lose power, dropping about 500 to 700 rpm (revolutions per minute). When he leveled off to maintain airspeed, the engine 'shut down completely.' Because flaps were still extended and airspeed in the flare was low, the airplane 'kept coming down.' A hard landing ensued, shearing off the landing gear and bending the engine mounts and propeller. The mixture control was found in the FULL RICH position. There was a tail wheel strike mark in the dirt 168 feet from the runway threshold. Just beyond were two dirt berms that had been struck by the airplane's main landing gear. The engine was partially disassembled. The no. 2 cylinder compression ratio was 45/80, due to exhaust blow-by. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 2000, approximately 1630 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N4069Z, operated by S&P Aviation, LLC., was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing 7 miles northwest of Belen, New Mexico. The newly certificated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot told an FAA inspector that he had received his private pilot's license earlier that morning, and he was taking his brother for a ride. In his accident report, he said that shortly after he lifted off from an abandoned 800-foot long airstrip using a short-field takeoff technique (full flaps), the engine began losing power, dropping about 500 to 700 rpm (revolutions per minute). When he leveled off to maintain airspeed, the engine "shut down completely." Because flaps were still extended and airspeed in the flare was low, the airplane "kept coming down." A hard landing ensued, shearing off the landing gear and bending the engine mounts and propeller. The FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. He found the mixture control in the FULL RICH position [the elevation of the abandoned airstrip could not be determined. Alexander Field at Belen is situated at an elevation of 5,194 feet msl (mean sea level)]. He said there was a tail wheel strike mark in the dirt 168 feet from the runway threshold. Just beyond were two dirt berms that had been struck by the airplane's main landing gear. On June 21, the FAA inspector partially disassembled and inspected the engine. He found the no. 2 cylinder compression ratio to be 45/80, due to exhaust blow-by. There was also a thin layer of carbon on the exhaust valve seat. The bottom no. 4 spark plug was 20 to 30% lead fouled, was wet with oil, and would not fire. After cleaning, the plug fired normally. In his report, the inspector said he found nothing "that would prohibit the engine from running in an 'as is' condition." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4069Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4069Z), registered now, S/N 18-8079 (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: 18-8079 - Airframe hours: 7901 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Victor Zable - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1999, 102 hours before - Departed: E80, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 56 total, 52 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 28 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 20000312004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000312004079A), Mar 12, 2000: Piper PA18150, Belen, NM, Substantial damage. (.23) On March 13, 2000 at 1630 MST, N4069Z, a Piper PA-18-150, owned by s&p aviation LLC, po box 11249, albuquerque, NM 87192-0249, impact sloping terrain… ## Other investigations on N4069Z (2) 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 DEN93LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA056), Nov 8, 1992: Piper PA-18-150 (N4069Z), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. - [NTSB DEN75DTC22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75DTC22), May 9, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N4069Z), Shell, WY, substantial damage 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.