# NTSB FTW02LA078: Piper PA-18-150, N4013E, Houston, TX, February 7, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 7, 2002, 17:22 local (23:22 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.668056, -95.394447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6681&lon=-95.3944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54167 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54167/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54167 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA078 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to switch fuel tanks. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot checked that both tanks were full and the fuel selector was in the right tank position prior to the banner tow flight. After having flown for "almost an hour," the pilot observed the right tank to be between one-half and one-quarter full, and decided it was too early to switch tanks. The pilot subsequently became involved in "the activities of the flight," and never checked the tanks again. At an altitude of 1,000 feet agl and 1.9 hours into the flight, the engine lost power. Two attempts to restart the engine proved unsuccessful, and a forced landing to an open area was initiated. The airplane hit the ground, bounced once, and flipped over, coming to rest inverted. The banner was not released during the forced landing. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 2002, at 1722 central standard time, a Piper PA-18-150 single-engine airplane, N4013E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Houston, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Nighthawk Aerial Advertising, of Pearland, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner towing flight. The local flight originated from the Clover Field Airport, Pearland, at 1530. According the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that prior to the flight, he had topped off both tanks, ensured the fuel selector was in the right tank position, and checked the fuel strainer. After having flown for "almost an hour," he checked the right tank, observed it to be between one-half to one-quarter full, and decided it was too early to switch to the left tank. The pilot reported that at this time he became involved in "the activities of the flight," and never checked the right tank again. After flying for 1.9 hours, at an altitude of 1,000 feet agl, the engine lost power. The pilot set up a glide and tried to restart the engine twice, but was unsuccessful in both attempts. At 400 feet agl, the pilot stated he headed for an open space, where the airplane hit, bounced once, and flipped over, coming to rest inverted. The banner was not released during the forced landing. An examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane's fuselage was bent 30 degrees to the left, the cockpit was crushed, and the propeller was bent. An examination of the fuel tanks found no fuel in the right tank, while the left tank had fuel up to the filler neck. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4013E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4013E), registered now, S/N 18-7809018, built 1977 (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: 18-7800918 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Nighthawk Aerial Advertising - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2001, 90 hours before - Departed: LVJ, Pearland, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 9, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 609 total, 26 in this make and model, 561 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: HOU, 7 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 20020207001399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020207001399A), Feb 7, 2002: Piper PA18150, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 7, 2002, at 1722 central standard time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N4013E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54167. 373 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 373 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40162757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.