# NTSB NYC03LA187: Piper PA-18-150, N7615Z, Midland, VA, September 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 2003, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Midland, VA - Coordinates: 38.633888, -77.757225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6339&lon=-77.7572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57842/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA187 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to unknown circumstances. ## 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) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot departed with about 15 gallons of fuel in the airplane, and flew for about 1 hour 15 minutes, when the engine lost power, about 1 mile from the airport. As the pilot prepared for a forced landing to a field, he noted the left fuel gauge read 1/8-full, and the right fuel gauge, indicated just less than 1/4-full. During the landing rollout, the pilot applied right rudder to stay aligned with the field, and the airplane nosed-over. An on-scene examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. During the recovery of the airplane, it was noted that "little" fuel was left in the fuel tanks; however, the fuel vent system consisted of drilled holes in the fuel tank caps, and the surrounding vegetation in the area of the fuel tanks appeared discolored and had an odor consistent with aviation fuel. The engine was test run on the airframe, using its own fuel system. It started and ran through various power settings for several minutes, with no abnormalities noted. According to the Piper PA-18 Owner's Handbook, the fuel consumption for the airplane was 9 gallons per hour. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2003, at 1830 eastern daylight time, N7615Z, a Piper PA-18-150, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power in Midland, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Horse Feathers Airport (53VA), Midland, Virginia. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the accident flight was the airplane's first flight since the engine had undergone a field overhaul. According to the pilot, after flying for about 1 hour 15 minutes, while in cruise flight, the engine lost power. The airplane was at an altitude of 1,600-1,700 feet msl, and about 1 mile from the departure airport. As the pilot prepared for a forced landing, he realized that the airplane would not be able to make it to the airport, and he attempted a forced landing to a field. The pilot extended full flaps while on final approach, and the airplane touched down at the mid-point of the field. During the landing rollout, the pilot applied right rudder to stay aligned with the field, and the airplane nosed-over. The pilot reported that all preflight and in-flight engine indications appeared normal prior to the loss of engine power. At the time of the power loss, the left fuel tank gauge indicated 1/8-full, and the right fuel tank gauge, which had been selected for the entire flight, indicated just less than 1/4-full. The pilot departed with approximately 15 gallons of fuel for the flight. The on-scene examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed no obvious pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The inspector was unable to visually inspect the fuel tanks due to the inverted position of the airplane; however, the surrounding vegetation in the area of the fuel tanks appeared discolored and had an odor consistent with aviation fuel. During the recovery of the airplane, it was noted that "little" fuel was left in the fuel tanks; however, the fuel vent system consisted of drilled holes in the fuel tank caps. The engine was test run on the airframe, using its own fuel system. The engine started and ran at various power settings for several minutes, with no abnormalities noted. According to the Piper PA-18 Owner's Handbook, the fuel consumption for the airplane was 9 gallons per hour. Weather reported at the Manassas Regional Airport, located about 12 miles to the northeast of the accident site, at 1836, included wind from 160 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure setting of 30.08 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7615Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7615Z), registered now, S/N 18-8398, built 1966 (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: 18-8398 - Airframe hours: 1455 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Norman Robinson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2002, 32 hours before - Departed: 53VA, Midland, VA - Destination: 53VA - Airport: 53VA, Horse Feathers Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 14, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 100 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: HEF, 12 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 20030901035599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030901035599A), Sep 1, 2003: Piper PA18150, Midland, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) After departing horse feathers airport (53VA), while in cruise flight, the engine lost power. As the pilot realized that a landing at the airport would… ## Other investigations on N7615Z (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 FTW82DA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA165), May 3, 1982: Piper PA-18-150 (N7615Z), Marfa, TX, substantial damage 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.