# NTSB SEA90LA144: Piper PA-18-150, N4184Z, Jordan, MT, July 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1990, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Jordan, MT
- Coordinates: 47.380092, -106.810447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3801&lon=-106.8104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA144

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR A 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, cruise
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A RANCH SURVEY FLIGHT IN A PIPER PA 18 THE UNCERTIFICATED PILOT EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN HE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS OBSERVED ON THE RIGHT TANK. BOTH THE RIGHT TANK AND HEADER TANK WERE DRY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4184Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4184Z), registered now, S/N 18-8369, 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: 18-8369
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: L.J. Green & Sons, Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight hours: 80 total, 80 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900724028349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900724028349A), Jul 24, 1990: Piper PA18150, Jordan, MT, Substantial damage. Ran a fuel tank dry during a livestock survey flight. Landed in rough terrain. Other fuel tank contained fuel.

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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