# NTSB LAX03LA265: Piper PA-18-150, N2567L, Avenal, CA, August 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2003, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Avenal, CA - Coordinates: 35.890193, -120.069389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8902&lon=-120.0694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57805 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57805/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA265 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary landing. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was undetermined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway and nosed over during a precautionary landing at a private airstrip. The landing was precipitated by a partial loss of engine power. The pilot stated that 5 minutes after departure, at an altitude of 500 feet, he heard "a loud noise" from the engine with an ensuing reduction in power. By manipulating the carburetor heat control he regained some power. He landed at the first available landing site, which was a small private airstrip. During the landing roll the airplane veered right, the pilot corrected to the left, and the airplane departed the runway and into soft ground on the left side of the airstrip. The airplane nosed over onto its back. Meteorological data recorded at the nearest reporting station at the approximate time of the accident show that the temperature was 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with a dew point of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A standard carburetor icing chart indicated that at those temperature and dew point levels, light carburetor icing was possible when in the glide or cruise power configurations. Under the supervision of a FAA inspector, an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic examined the engine and found no anomalies. The mechanic was then able to start the engine and achieved 800-900 rpm before shutting the engine down due to vibrations caused by the bent propeller. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2003, at 1335 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N2567L, veered off the runway and nosed over during a precautionary landing at a private airstrip 13 miles southeast of Avenal, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a partial engine power loss. The airplane was operated by the private pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight originated at a private airstrip 2 miles north of Lost Hills Airport, California, about 1330. The pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that 5 minutes after departure, and at an altitude of 500 feet, he heard "a loud noise" from the engine with an ensuing reduction in power. By manipulating the carburetor heat control he regained some power. He landed at the first available landing site, which was a small private airstrip. During the landing roll the airplane veered right, and the pilot corrected to the left. The airplane departed the runway and into soft ground on the left side of the airstrip. The airplane nosed over onto its back. The pilot said the airstrip appeared to have been freshly oiled down. Meteorological data recorded at Bakersfield Airport, Bakersfield, California, at the approximate time of the accident show that the temperature was 95 degrees Fahrenheit with a dew point of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A standard carburetor icing chart indicated that at those temperature and dew point levels, light carburetor icing was likely when in the glide or cruise power configurations. Under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic examined the engine and found no anomalies. The mechanic was then able to start the engine and achieved 800-900 rpm before shutting the engine down due to vibrations caused by the bent propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2567L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2567L), registered now, S/N 18-8109014 (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: 18-8109014 - Airframe hours: 985.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: CJ Ritchie Farms - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L84, Lost Hills, CA - Destination: Kettleman City, CA - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 36, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 13, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 3,010 total, 300 in this make and model, 47 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KL45, 38 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 20030825021589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030825021589A), Aug 25, 2003: Piper PA18150, Avenal, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 25, 2003, a Piper PA-18-150 N2567L collided with the ground at a small Private airfield in lost hills CA. 15 miles from Avenal CA. N2567L was… 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.