# NTSB ERA12LA468: Piper PA-18-150, N2991Z, North Myrtle Beach, SC, July 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 2012, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: North Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.811668, -78.688888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8117&lon=-78.6889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA468 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84389/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84389 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA468 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was towing a banner near the shoreline at an altitude of about 500 feet when the engine began to lose power. He applied carburetor heat; however, the engine continued to lose power and then stopped completely. The pilot was not able to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to the water. He exited the airplane before it sank to a depth of about 30 feet. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation; however, the engine exhibited significant damage consistent with saltwater corrosion, which precluded a check of the fuel and ignition systems. The airplane had been operated for about 50 hours since its most recent 100 hour inspection, which was performed about 9 days before the accident, and the engine had been operated for about 150 hours since it was overhauled about 1 month before the accident. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to carburetor icing at glide power and cruise power. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 2012, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N2991Z, operated by Barnstormer Elite Signs Inc., was substantially damaged when it ditched into the Atlantic Ocean, after it experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering near North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated from Grand Strand Airport (CRE), about 0900. The local banner tow flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot was towing a banner near the shoreline, at an altitude of approximately 500 feet above ground level, when the engine began to suddenly lose power. He applied carburetor heat; however, the engine continued to lose power and then stopped completely. The pilot was not able to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to the water. He was able to exit the airplane before it sank to a depth of about 30 feet. Fueling records revealed that the airplane's fuel tanks were "topped-off" the evening prior to the accident, and the airplane had been operated for about 2 hours since the refueling. The airplane was recovered on July 22, 2012. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. Examination of the engine after recovery did not reveal any catastrophic mechanical malfunctions. The engine was rotated via the propeller and valve train continuity was observed, and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. Saltwater was observed in the carburetor, gascolator, cylinders, and the fuel system was compromised. The engine exhibited significant damage consistent with saltwater corrosion which precluded a check of the fuel and ignition systems. The airplane was manufactured in 1959 and was operated under a restricted category for aerial advertising airworthiness certificate. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-B2B, 160-horsepower engine, which was overhauled by Triad Aviation, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina, on June, 19, 2012. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated for about 13,240 total hours, and the engine had been operated for about 150 hours since the overhaul and 50 hours since its most recent 100 hour inspection, which was performed on July 9, 2012. The weather reported at CRE, about the time of the accident included a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius (C) and a dew point of 23 degrees C. Review of an FAA Carburetor Icing Envelope chart placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "icing at glide and cruise power" area of the chart. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2991Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2991Z-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 18-7109, built 1959 (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: 18-7109 - Airframe hours: 13075 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Barnstormer Elite Signs Inc. - Registered owner: Barnstormer Elite Signs Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2012, 150 hours before - Departed: CRE, North Myrtle Beach, SC - Destination: CRE, North Myrtle Beach, SC - Airport: CRE, Grand Strand ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review December 3, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,235 total, 900 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: CRE, 3 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 20120718014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120718014559A), Jul 18, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, North Myrtle Be, SC, Destroyed. The pilot stated that he had flown the same aircraft the day before with no problems and topped off the fuel tanks at the end of the day. The pilot had stated… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84389. 13.6 MB in all. - Memorandum Pertaining to NTSB Accident Report Form (item 1, .PDF, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20Pertaining%20to%20NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Interview Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Interview%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Pilot and Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Local Airport Weather Observations (item 4, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Local%20Airport%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - FAA Carburetor Icing Envelope (item 5, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Envelope-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (excerpts) (item 6, .PDF, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(excerpts)-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of airplane during recovery (Provided by FAA Inspector) (item 7, .PDF, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20during%20recovery%20(Provided%20by%20FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – View of airplane after recovery (Provided by Insurance Company Representative) (item 8, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20after%20recovery%20(Provided%20by%20Insurance%20Company%20Representative)%20-Master.PDF - Photograph # 3 – View of main wreckage and engine after recovery (Provided by FAA Inspector) (item 9, .PDF, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%203%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20main%20wreckage%20and%20engine%20after%20recovery%20(Provided%20by%20FAA%20Inspector)%20-Master.PDF 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.