# NTSB WPR13CA344: Piper PA-18-135, N37JR, Quilcene, WA, July 28, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2013, 17:32 local (Jul 28, 2013, 00:32 UTC) - Place: Quilcene, WA - Coordinates: 47.83889, -122.858886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8389&lon=-122.8589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87590 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87590/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87590 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA344 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate planning and mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane ran out of fuel about 16 miles from his destination and he executed a forced landing to a nearby private airstrip. During the approach, the airplane was high and fast, resulting in a long landing. In order to avoid going into the trees, he applied heavy braking. The airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane ran out of fuel about 16 miles from his destination and he executed a forced landing to a nearby private airstrip. During the approach, the airplane was high and fast, resulting in a long landing. In order to avoid going into the trees, he applied heavy braking. The airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37JR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37JR), registered now, S/N 18-3758, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3758 - Airframe hours: 76.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ryder Jerry - Registered owner: Ryder Jerry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: K0S9, Port Townsend, WA - Destination: K0S9, Port Townsend, WA - Airport: KOS9, Jefferson County International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 450 total, 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: K0S9, 19 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 20130727014529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130727014529A), Jul 27, 2013: Piper PA-18-135, Quilcene, WA, Substantial damage. The aircraft had departed the jefferson county airport located in port townsend, WA., enroute to newhalem, WA., for lunch. The aircraft then departed newhalem… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87590. 7.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.