# NTSB ERA13CA353: Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, N555AX, Eagle Bay, NY, August 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2013, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Eagle Bay, NY - Coordinates: 43.831665, -74.848892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8317&lon=-74.8489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87695 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA353 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87695/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87695 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA353 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to set the engine throttle to full power during a go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7101843), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibian airplane reported that she was flying a visual approach to a lake, over mountainous terrain. On an approximate 3/4 mile final approach to the lake, she observed a boat near her intended landing area and performed a go-around to circle for another approach. During the go-around and turn, the pilot did not move the throttle lever to full power. About one-fourth through the turn, she noticed the airplane was descending and increased engine power. The airplane continued to descend and she increased engine power a second time; however, one of the airplane's floats contacted a tree and the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot further stated that the accident could have been prevented if she had flown a higher approach and increased the throttle to full engine power immediately during the go-around. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the inspector did not observe any. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amphibian airplane reported that she was flying a visual approach to a lake, over mountainous terrain. On an approximate 3/4 mile final approach to the lake, she observed a boat near her intended landing area and performed a go-around to circle for another approach. During the go-around and turn, the pilot did not move the throttle lever to full power. About one-fourth through the turn, she noticed the airplane was descending and increased engine power. The airplane continued to descend and she increased engine power a second time; however, one of the airplane's floats contacted a tree and the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot further stated that the accident could have been prevented if she had flown a higher approach and increased the throttle to full engine power immediately during the go-around. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the inspector did not observe any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N555AX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N555AX), registered now, S/N 9927CC, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER/CUB CRAFTERS PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-cub-crafters-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101843) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9927CC - Airframe hours: 665 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dew Donald H - Registered owner: Dew Donald H - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2013, 20 hours before - Departed: NONE, Inlet, NY - Destination: Eagle Bay, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 470 total, 46 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: GTB, 40 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 20130802013499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130802013499A), Aug 2, 2013: Piper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150, Eagle Bay, NY, Destroyed. On August 5, 2013 at approximately 1400 local, the PA-18-150 crashed into a wooded area in the vicinity of big moose lake, NY. The post accident investigation… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87695. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 827 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 424 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.