# NTSB ERA26LA316: Piper PA-18A 150, N2368P, New Smyrna Beach, FL, August 27, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: August 27, 2026, 10:51 local (14:51 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Beach, FL · Beach
- Coordinates: 29.009279, -80.876393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0093&lon=-80.8764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA316
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA316

## Preliminary report

On August 27, 2026, about 1051 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18A 150, N2368P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner tow flight. According to the pilot, he conducted a normal preflight inspection in preparation for banner towing operations. During the inspection, he noted that the engine oil quantity was one quart low. He added one quart of oil and completed the remainder of the preflight inspection. The pilot confirmed that the fuel tanks were full and reported no other anomalies. After takeoff, the pilot completed a successful banner pickup. He reported climbing to approximately 1,000 ft before reaching the shoreline. As the airplane crossed the shoreline, the pilot turned north and initiated a descent. While descending through about 600 ft above ground level (agl), the pilot began adding engine power to level off at 500 ft agl. When he advanced the throttle, he heard a loud pop, followed by a total loss of engine power. While maintaining control of the airplane, the pilot determined that the beach was too crowded to safely conduct a forced landing. He elected to perform a forced landing to the water instead. The airplane touched down on the water and subsequently nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2368P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2368P), registered now, S/N 18-4257, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A 150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4257
- Year built: 1955
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Banner tow, Part 91
- Operator: Aerial Messages Leasing Co
- Registered owner: Aerial Messages Leasing Co
- Departed: X50, Edgewater, FL
- Destination: Same as departure

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: EVB, 5 nm away
- METAR: METAR KEVB 271447Z 25008KT 10SM SCT030 30/ A3005

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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