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NTSB Report
November 7, 1992 · Piper PA-18-150 · N9128D
Columbia, SC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 7, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Columbia, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N9128D
Operator
Sky Signs
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93LA022
THE PILOT COMPLETED REFUELING THE AIRPLANE AND TOOK OFF TO CONTINUE THE BANNER TOW OPERATION. DURING CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE LOST POWER; THE PILOT'S EFFORTS TO RESTORE NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION FAILED. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT TO A SOYBEAN FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING; DURING THE TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF THE EMERGENCY, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THAT THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY BETWEEN IDLE AND THE MAXIMUM RPM RANGES. HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR EXAMINATION, DISCLOSED THAT THE FLOAT VALVE WOULD STICK IN THE CLOSED (FUEL OFF) POSITION. A REVIEW OF THE OPERATOR'S REFUELING POLICY REVEALED THAT A BLEND OF 100 LOW LEAD AVIATION FUEL AND AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE WERE USED IN AIRPLANES GRANTED A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE FOR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. N9128D WAS GRANTED AN STC FOR THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM FUEL STARVATION WHEN THE CARBURETOR FLOAT VALVE STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT FIELD .
Full Narrative
THE PILOT COMPLETED REFUELING THE AIRPLANE AND TOOK OFF TO CONTINUE THE BANNER TOW OPERATION. DURING CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE LOST POWER; THE PILOT'S EFFORTS TO RESTORE NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION FAILED. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT TO A SOYBEAN FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING; DURING THE TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF THE EMERGENCY, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THAT THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY BETWEEN IDLE AND THE MAXIMUM RPM RANGES. HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR EXAMINATION, DISCLOSED THAT THE FLOAT VALVE WOULD STICK IN THE CLOSED (FUEL OFF) POSITION. A REVIEW OF THE OPERATOR'S REFUELING POLICY REVEALED THAT A BLEND OF 100 LOW LEAD AVIATION FUEL AND AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE WERE USED IN AIRPLANES GRANTED A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE FOR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. N9128D WAS GRANTED AN STC FOR THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:55 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN9128D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSky Signs
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC