# NTSB MIA00LA152: Piper PA-18-150, N760WB, Fernandina Bch, FL, May 12, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2000, 13:38 local (17:38 UTC) - Place: Fernandina Bch, FL - Coordinates: 30.609443, -81.460556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6094&lon=-81.4606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49182/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA152 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall., in-flight collision with terrain, and subsequent nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated the engine lost power on initial takeoff climb at about 200 feet. He attempted a forced landing by applying full left rudder and forward stick to maintain airspeed. He said he had no further recollection of the accident. Witness stated they observed the airplane on climb out. The airspeed was described as slow. The airplane was observed to make a steep left turn (45-degrees or more) between 200 to 250 feet. The nose of the airplane pitched down and the airplane collided with terrain. Examination of the flight control system and engine assembly revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2000, at about 1338 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N760WB, registered to Island Aerial Tours Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 banner tow flight, crashed while maneuvering to pick up a banner. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot sustained serious injury. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he took off from the grass runway. At about 200 feet he felt a loss of engine power. The tachometer indicated 2,450 rpm and was decreasing. He observed golfers to his front; applied full left rudder and forward stick to maintain airspeed. "After doing this I can not remember anything more until they put me in the ambulance." Witnesses stated they observed the airplane on climbout. The airspeed was described as slow. The airplane was observed to make a steep left turn (45 degrees or more) between 200 to 250 feet. One witness stated, "It was like he stopped in mid air and made a U-turn." The nose of the airplane pitched down, and the airplane collided with terrain. According to the FAA, there were no reports of engine difficulty from any of the witnesses. Examination of the flight control system and engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. (For additional information see FAA Inspector Statement and Textron Lycoming Mishap Investigation Field Notes, attachments to this report.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N760WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N760WB-2011-08-16), registration cancelled 2011-08-16, S/N 18-7770, built 1962 (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: 18-7770 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William O. Rabitaille - Registered owner: Island Aerial Tours, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1999 - Departed: N55J, FERNANDINA BCH, FL - Airport: 55J, Fernandina Beach Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,450 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: JAX, 15 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 20000512010679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000512010679A), May 12, 2000: Piper PA18150, Fernandina Beac, FL, No damage. (-23) A/c departed to the east from grassy area between runway 13 and taxiway. After climbing to approx. 200 feet a/c entered a 180 degree left hand turn for… 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.