# NTSB LAX00TA212: Piper PA-18-150, N4872A, Austin, NV, June 1, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: June 1, 2000, 06:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Austin, NV - Coordinates: 39.539421, -117.190559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5394&lon=-117.1906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-WP-Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 51214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00TA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51214/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00TA212 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power caused by a fuel soaked float pontoon causing an over rich fuel/air mixture, in a critical phase of flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - fuel system,carburetor float - soaked (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had been monitoring an increase in the fuel burn rate over a period of time. His normal leaning procedure for best power operating from 5,800 feet mean sea level required more mixture control travel. On the day of the accident, it was the second time that the engine had failed to respond to throttle input. The subsequent loss of engine power occurred low to the terrain. Post accident examination of the carburetor revealed a black composite float that felt heavier than normal. One pontoon exhibited light damage to the smooth shell. The engine spark plugs were lightly fuel sooted. According to Precision Airmotive Corporation "mandatory" Service Bulletin MSA-1(replacement of composite floats with metal floats), the type certificate holder of the carburetor, states that; "field reports indicate that composite floats may be absorbing fluid and sinking," replace the existing composite float with a metal float. A sinking float may result in disruption of fuel flow to the engine, Precision Airmotive therefore considers the replacement of composite floats with metal floats mandatory. Compliance is optional for 14 CFR Part 91 operators. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2000, at 0615 hours Pacific daylight time, a PA-18-150, N4872A, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Austin, Nevada. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the certificated commercial pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a public-use flight by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Wildlife Services, when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Austin airport at 0600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR company flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had been monitoring an increase in the fuel burn rate over a period of time. His normal leaning procedure for best power operating from 5,800 feet mean sea level required more mixture control travel. On the day of the accident, it was the second time that the engine had failed to respond to throttle input. The subsequent loss of engine power occurred low to the terrain. Post accident examination of the carburetor revealed a black composite float that felt heavier than normal. One pontoon exhibited light damage to the smooth shell. The engine spark plugs were lightly fuel sooted. According to Precision Airmotive Corporation "mandatory" Service Bulletin MSA-1 (replacement of composite floats with metal floats), the type certificate holder of the carburetor, states that; "field reports indicate that composite floats may be absorbing fluid and sinking," replace the existing composite float with a metal float. A sinking float may result in disruption of fuel flow to the engine, Precision Airmotive therefore considers the replacement of composite floats with metal floats mandatory. Compliance is optional for 14 CFR Part 91 operators. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4872A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4872A), registered now, S/N 18-4969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4969 - Airframe hours: 3950 - Engines: Avco Lycoming O-320- 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Operator: Department Of Agriculture, doing business as Widlife Services - Registered owner: Randy McCoy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2000, 90 hours before - Departed: 9U3, AUSTIN, NV - Destination: 9U3 - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 29, 1999; seat: front; flight hours: 8,300 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 7,740 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F ## 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 20000601010699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000601010699A), Jun 1, 2000: Piper PA18A150, Austin, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft impacted ground during flight for Nevada animal damage control program. (.4) on June 1, 2000, at 0615 hours pacific daylight time, a PA-18-150,… ## Other investigations on N4872A (1) 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 MIA75D1G11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75D1G11), Aug 15, 1974: Piper PA-18A (N4872A), Lugoff, SC, destroyed 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.