# NTSB FTW82DA314: Piper PA-18-150, N2375J, Newellton, LA, August 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1982, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Newellton, LA
- Coordinates: 32.069534, -91.230987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0695&lon=-91.2310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA314

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD. WHILE LANDING ON THE SOFT TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED DUE TO FUEL STARVATION WHEN ONE FUEL TANK RAN DRY WHILE THE OTHER TANK WAS FULL. HE STATED THAT BEFORE TAKING OFF, HE HAD LOOKED AT BOTH SIGHT GUAGES AND THAT BOTH LOOKED ALIKE. HE NOTED THAT WHEN A TANK IS EITHER FULL OR EMPTY, THE LEVEL OF THE FUEL CANNOT BE SEEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2375J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7909114
- Airframe hours: 137
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nathan O. Kifer
- Registered owner: Nathan O. Kifer
- Departed: NEWELLTON, LA
- Destination: NEWELLTON, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19820804034699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820804034699A), Aug 4, 1982: Piper PA18150, Newellton, LA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing in plowed field. Fuel selector on empty tank.

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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