# NTSB MKC90LA113: Piper PA-18A, N9071D, Creve Coeur, MO, May 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1990, 20:00 local (May 20, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Creve Coeur, MO
- Coordinates: 38.659057, -90.460395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6591&lon=-90.4604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA113

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A BANNER DROP, THEN RE-ENTERED DOWNWIND LEG, AT ABOUT 40 FEET AGL. DURING THE TURN FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE, HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS WHICH, SHORTLY AFTER, RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED IN A TALL WHEAT FIELD, WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. THE PLT SAID THAT HE DID NOT DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9071D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9071D), registered now, S/N 18-6437 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- 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: 6437
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: St. Louis Air Ads, Inc.
- Destination: 1H0
- Airport: 1HO, Creve Coeur

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 10 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 19900519017349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519017349A), May 19, 1990: Piper PA18A150, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Switched tanks turning final after dropping banner. Engine quit. Nosed over in wheat field. Did not drain sumps.

## Other investigations on N9071D (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 ANC05LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05LA036), Feb 16, 2005: Piper PA-18 (N9071D), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in ski assembly damage during the takeoff run from a frozen, snow-covered lake, and subsequent nose over during an emergency…

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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