# NTSB DEN83LA086: Piper PA-18A-150, N8977D, Worland, WY, March 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1983, 18:30 local (Mar 28, 1983, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Worland, WY
- Coordinates: 44.000205, -107.950599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0002&lon=-107.9506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA086

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,drain - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - lack of (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - water (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DURING A FERRY FLIGHT. THE PLT REFUELED THE EMPTY RIGHT FUEL TANK AND TOPPED-OFF THE LEFT TANK WITH 3 GALLONS OF FUEL BEFORE THE INITIAL TAKEOFF ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE FLT HE FLEW ON THE LEFT TANK UNTIL IT WAS ALMOST EMPTY BEFORE SWITCHING TO THE RIGHT TANK. SHORTLY AFTER SWITCHING TANKS THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PLT SWITCHED BACKTO THE LEFT TANK AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN POWER. BUT SOON THE ENGINE QUIT AGAIN AND THE PLT USED THE HAND PRIMER WHILE SWITCHING TO THE RIGHT TANK. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART SO THE PLT SELECTED A DIRT ROAD FOR LANDING. INVESTIGAITON REVEALED SEVERAL DISCREPANCIES IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. NO FILTER SCREEN WAS INSTALLED IN THE GASCOLATOR. THE MIXTURE CONTROLWAS NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS CONTAMINATED. THE RIGHT TANK DRAIN SUMP COULD NOT BE OPERATED. THE CARBURETOR CONTAINED WATER AND CONTAMINATION IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOAT CHAMBER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8977D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8977D), registered now, S/N 18-5083, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1625
- Airframe hours: 3073
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-150 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jim Booth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1982
- Departed: TOR, TORRINGTON, WY
- Destination: WRL, WORLAND, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 485 total, 460 in this make and model, 485 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19830327012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830327012559A), Mar 27, 1983: Piper PA18A150, Worland, WY, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing attempt after engine quit from fuel contamination.

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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