# NTSB NYC98LA089: Piper PA-18-150, N4158Z, Berkley, MA, April 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 1998, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Berkley, MA - Location: 41.8459° N, 71.0828° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Berkley, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8459&lon=-71.0828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39552/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA089 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent nose-over on uneven terrain. Uneven terrain (furrow) in the forced landing area was a related factor. ## 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 descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane's engine began to lose power and sputter, while in cruise flight. He said the application of carburetor heat had no effect, so he landed in a grass field. During rollout, at a speed of 10 to 15 miles per hour, the airplane entered a furrow between two fields and nosed over. Fuel was sampled from both tanks and the gascolater, and found to be clear. The carburetor was secure, and the venturi and bleed tube were in place. A carburetor Airworthiness Directive had been accomplished during the last annual inspection. Also, a post-accident engine test run was completed, an no abnormal indications were noted. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 1998, about 1500 Eastern Standard Time, a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N4158Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Berkley, Massachusetts. Neither the certificated private pilot nor the passenger were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot stated that the airplane's engine began to lose power and sputtered while in cruise flight. The application of carburetor heat had no effect, so the pilot landed in a grass field, into the wind. During rollout, at a speed of 10 to 15 miles per hour, the airplane entered a furrow between two fields and nosed over. The Inspector also noted that the airplane "was equipped with tundra tires and disc brakes positioned on the front of the brake assemblies as opposed to the rear as most commonly observed." Damage occurred to the fuselage, vertical fin, propeller and both wings. Fuel was sampled from both tanks and the gascolater, and found to be clear. The carburetor was secure, and the venturi and bleed tube were in place. A carburetor Airworthiness Directive had been accomplished during the last annual inspection. A post-accident engine test run was completed, with normal indications. The passenger, also a pilot, stated he was not flying the airplane at the time of the accident, but had flown it from Kentucky to Massachusetts several days earlier. During that flight he had experienced the same engine problem, but resolved it with the application of carburetor heat. The pilot, seated in the front seat, held a Private Pilot certificate and had approximately 350 hours of flight time. The passenger, seated in the back seat, held Airline Transport Pilot and Flight Instructor certificates, and had approximately 7,000 hours of flight time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4158Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4158Z), registered now, S/N 18-8340, built 1965 (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: 18-8340 - Airframe hours: 2523 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frederick C. Dreyer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1998, 12 hours before - Departed: TAN, TAUNTON, MA - Destination: MA18, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 341 total, 13 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KTA, 4 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 19980405046559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980405046559A), Apr 5, 1998: Piper PA18150, Berkley, MA, No damage. (-23) Contacted at 1900 local on 04/05/98 that a PA-18-150 had been involved in an incident at 1500 local at Berkley, MA 02779. Mr. Frederic dreyer reported… 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.