# NTSB LAX08LA099: Piper PA-18-150, N6845Z, Concrete, WA, April 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 2008, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Concrete, WA - Coordinates: 48.529724, -121.75 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5297&lon=-121.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67809 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67809/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA099 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis After performing a series of takeoffs and landings, the pilot landed and spent 30 to 45 minutes on the ground before taking off for the accident flight. The pilot reported that during the flight, he flew low and slow, and the engine experienced a power failure. Thereafter, the airplane impacted a river and nosed over in 4 feet of water. The engine, including the carburetor, was examined. The engine was torn down, and no evidence of a preimpact anomaly was observed. The carburetor was bench tested and performed within the manufacturer's specifications. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 2008, about 1515 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N6845Z, impacted a river while maneuvering about 6 miles from Concrete, Washington. The airplane nosed over in 4 feet of water and was substantially damaged. The private pilot, who owned the airplane, sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it originated from the Concrete Municipal Airport about 1500. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that, earlier in the day, he had performed a series of takeoffs and landings during which no anomalies were noted with his airplane. After stopping for 30 to 45 minutes, the pilot resumed flying. According to the pilot, while flying "low and slow" over a river he experienced a "power failure." The pilot reported that the airplane's engine had recently been overhauled. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator who examined the engine, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or anomaly was noted during his examination. The pilot also asserted that, during the accident flight, the carburetor may have malfunctioned. The FAA coordinator had the carburetor examined and operationally tested. The carburetor functioned in accordance with specifications, according to its manufacturer. The FAA coordinator reported to the Safety Board investigator that he observed cable binding and/or kinking evidence consistent with a possible restriction of movement of the carburetor heat control. However, the evidence was not definitive regarding whether it would result in restricting movement of the carburetor heat control. Additionally, the pilot did not report an inability to activate the heat control. The FAA coordinator also noted that the airplane had been partially disassembled prior to his examination. Entries were observed in the airplane's maintenance logbook that addressed the removal and reinstallation of the carburetor. The page bearing the entries, as presented to the FAA coordinator and the pilot's insurance company agent, were different. The entries were not signed by any FAA certificated mechanic. The pilot's name was found in logbook entries as having performed the carburetor's installation. The pilot does not hold any FAA mechanic certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6845Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6845Z), registered now, S/N 18-8132, built 1964 (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: 18-8132 - Airframe hours: 4339 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 2007 - Departed: 3W5, Concrete, WA - Destination: AWO, Arlington, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 790 total, 200 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 20080411831949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080411831949A), Apr 11, 2008: Piper PA18150, Concrete, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that he was in cruise flight following the skagit river in an easterly direction when the engine began to lose power. At this point in the… ## Other investigations on N6845Z (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 WPR13CA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA279), Jun 20, 2013: Piper PA-18-150 (N6845Z), Cashmere, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper application of the brakes during the landing ground roll, which resulted in a nose over. 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.