# NTSB MIA93LA171: Piper PA-18-150, N7540, Cape Canaveral, FL, August 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1993, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Cape Canaveral, FL
- Coordinates: 28.399124, -80.600349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3991&lon=-80.6003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA171

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS TOWING AN ADVERTISING BANNER SOUTHBOUND WHILE JUST OFFSHORE FROM THE BEACH. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN NEAR SHORE AND NOSED OVER DURING THE DITCHING. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY FROM THE OCEAN BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE AND SYSTEMS. USABLE QUANTITIES OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS FOUND IN BOTH TANKS OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7540](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7540-1996-05-10), registration cancelled 1996-05-10, S/N 185431 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5431
- Airframe hours: 7272
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Burfitt, Andrew
- Registered owner: Burfitt, Andrew
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1993, 35 hours before
- Departed: COI, COCOA BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 20 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 19930805028099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930805028099A), Aug 5, 1993: Piper PA18150, Cape Canaveral, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit while towing banner 500 feet awl. Dropped banner. Ditched and overturned. No engine anomalies found.

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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