# NTSB ERA23LA356: Piper PA-12, N3036M, Myrtle Beach, SC, July 31, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 31, 2023, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Myrtle Beach, SC · In shallow ocean water offshore - Coordinates: 33.6954, -78.8802 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6954&lon=-78.8802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192976 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA356 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192976/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192976 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA356 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said he refueled the airplane the day before the accident and checked the fuel level during his preflight inspection the following morning. As he was conducting his second banner-tow of the day over the coastline, about 2 hours 30 minutes into the flight the engine suddenly stopped producing power. The pilot made a forced landing in the ocean just offshore of the beach, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that while the crankshaft would not rotate more than 180 degrees, this was likely due to corrosion that was the result of exposure to saltwater during the forced landing. Internal inspection of the engine via a borescope revealed no obvious mechanical deficiencies or malfunctions that would have precluded the engine from operating at the time of the accident. Although the pilot reported departing with 33 usable gallons of fuel, the postaccident examination found no evidence of fuel leaks and both fuel tanks were intact and empty of fuel. As such, the engine most likely lost power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2023, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12 airplane, N3036M, was substantially damage when it was involved in an accident near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner tow flight. The pilot stated that he was towing a banner about 500 ft above ground level parallel to the coastline when the airplane’s engine stopped producing power. He restarted the engine once, but it lost power moments later; the pilot made a forced landing in the ocean. The airplane landed just offshore of the beach, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. According to the mechanic who recovered the airplane from the ocean, there was no visual evidence of fuel sheen in the water and no odor of fuel around the airplane. He visually inspected both wing tanks by removing the fuel caps and using a flashlight to inspect inside each tank. Both fuel tanks were intact and completely empty of fuel. The airplane was dragged to shore where the mechanic removed both wings – again, no fuel was drained from the tanks and no breaks in the fuel lines were observed. The mechanic said the fuel selector was in the “both position,” and both fuel “sight” gauges were empty. The pilot said he refueled the airplane the day before the accident and performed a preflight inspection on the morning of the accident before his first flight of the day (the accident was the second flight). During the preflight inspection, the pilot said he visually inspected both fuel tanks for fuel, and then took fuel samples from the sump drains and found no water/debris. He reported departing with 33 usable gallons of fuel. The airplane was recovered and initially taken to the operator’s facility, where a mechanic removed the carburetor drain plug. The mechanic said the carburetor was full of seawater, and there was no fuel in the firewall fuel strainer (gascolator). He also said the engine’s crankshaft rotated freely when manually rotated. The airplane was moved to a salvage facility where it was later examined by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Examination of the airplane revealed continuity of the fuel system from both wings to the engine. Both fuel selectors were in the “on” position and the fuel strainer was undamaged and still attached to the firewall. The strainer bowl was removed and half-full of 100LL fuel along with a small amount of water. The screen was absent of debris. The line between the fuel strainer and carburetor was removed and a small amount of fuel was observed. Shop air was blown through the fuel lines at the wing root, and fuel spray was observed coming from the fuel strainer. The carburetor remained secure to the engine and was removed. The drain plug was corroded and was easily pulled out by hand. There was no fuel in the drain, and the finger screen was absent of debris. The carburetor was disassembled, and a small amount ofrust colored fluid was observed in the injector chamber along with some corrosion. The engine’s crankshaft was manually rotated via the propeller flange. The crankshaft rotated about 180 degrees and locked up before valvetrain continuity or thumb compression could be fully established. Each cylinder was visually examined with a borescope, and some debris was noted in the No. 3 cylinder. However, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were observed that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3036M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3036M), registered now, S/N 12-1581, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-1581 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 18807 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barnstormers Aerial Advertising LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 2023 - Departed: CRE, Myrtle Beach, SC - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,046 total, 2,650 in this make and model, 2,890 as pilot in command, 370 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KCRE, 11 nm away - METAR: SPECI KCRE 311531Z VRB03KT 10SM BKN023 BKN031 28/23 A3000 ## 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 20230731008939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230731008939A), Jul 31, 2023: Piper PA-12, Myrtle Beach, SC, Substantial damage. Eon-dra message text: Myrtle Beach, SC: stormer 2, PA18, local banner tower, crashed into the water 4 miles NE of Myrtle Beach for unknown reasons. No ground… ## Other investigations on N3036M (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 ERA09CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA275), Apr 29, 2009: Piper PA-12 (N3036M), Georgetown, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model airplane. - [NTSB ATL95LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA148), Jul 26, 1995: Piper PA-12 (N3036M), N. Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE USED BY THE PILOT IN THAT HE FAILED TO USE WHEEL CHOCKS TO PRECLUDE AIRCRAFT MOVEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE THROTTLE WAS NOT PLACED IN THE IDLE POSITION. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192976. 7.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 6.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18011831&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Final_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - mechanic who recovered airplane (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16234772&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20ROC%20Executive%20Helijet-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - operator mechanic (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16234947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20ROC%20Mechanic-Rel.pdf - NTSB wreckage exam report (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18023540&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Exam%20Report%20Final-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 575 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18239033&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.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.