# NTSB SEA07CA113: Piper PA-18, N40520, Prineville, OR, April 27, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2007, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Prineville, OR - Coordinates: 44.324443, -120.906944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3244&lon=-120.9069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 65652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65652/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA113 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot failing to correctly read the fuel quantity sight gauges. Factors include soft, brushy terrain, and the pilot's intentional excessive braking during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the preflight inspection, the pilot looked at the fuel level sight gauges and did not see a meniscus point in the clear tubes. He therefore assumed that this meant the tanks were completely full and that the entire sight gauge was filled with fuel. About five minutes after departure the aircraft ran out of fuel, and during the ensuing forced landing the aircraft nosed over on the soft, brushy terrain as the pilot applied "excessive braking" in order to stop before reaching a line of trees. After the accident, the pilot checked his fueling log, and then realized that the fuel tanks had been almost completely empty prior to takeoff, and that the reason he saw no meniscus point in the fuel quantity sight gauges was because the lines were completely full of air. The pilot had not visually checked the fuel tanks during his preflight. ## Factual narrative During the preflight inspection, the pilot looked at the fuel level sight gauges and did not see a meniscus point in the clear tubes. He therefore assumed that this meant the tanks were completely full and that the entire sight gauge was filled with fuel. About five minutes after departure the aircraft ran out of fuel, and during the ensuing forced landing the aircraft nosed over on the soft, brushy terrain as the pilot applied "excessive braking" in order to stop before reaching a line of trees. After the accident, the pilot checked his fueling log, and then realized that the fuel tanks had been almost completely empty prior to takeoff, and that the reason he saw no meniscus point in the fuel quantity sight gauges was because the lines were completely full of air. The pilot had not visually checked the fuel tanks during his preflight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40520](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40520), registered now, S/N 18-7509121, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - 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: 7509121 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry D. Goodman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S39, Prineville, OR - Destination: S39, Prineville, OR - Airport: S39, Prineville Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review August 1, 2006; flight hours: 525 total, 525 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 20070427006919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070427006919A), Apr 27, 2007: Piper PA18150, Prineville, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft ran out of fuel. Pilot initiated an off airfield landing 10 miles east of Prineville. On landing the aircraft flipped over. Substantial damage. ## Other investigations on N40520 (2) 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 DEN03LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA069), Apr 20, 2003: Piper PA-18-150 (N40520), Kemmerer, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind during the landing roll which resulted in a ground loop/swerve and impact with terrain. Contributing… - [NTSB FTW78DRJ17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRJ17), Apr 23, 1978: Piper PA-18 (N40520), Ferriday, LA, 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.