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May 3, 2003 · Piper PA-18A-150 · N9789D

Roanoke, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Roanoke, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A-150
Tail Number
N9789D
Operator
Marcair
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA143

During the takeoff climb of the 3rd or 4th touch and go, "the engine lost power and began to sputter." Prior to the flight, according to the cockpit fuel sight gauges observed by the private pilot, the left fuel tank indicated approximately 3/4 full of fuel, and the right tank indicated approximately 1/2 full of fuel. The private pilot, who was receiving instruction for a tailwheel endorsement, stated the fuel selector was selected to the left fuel tank at the time the engine lost power. After the engine lost power, the flight instructor initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and terrain, and came to rest on its nose. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel system was intact, the left main fuel tank was empty, the right main fuel tank contained "plenty of fuel," and the fuel was clear of contaminants.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 2003, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18A-150 single-engine tailwheel-equipped airplane, N9789D, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff climb, while executing touch and go landings from the Northwest Regional Airport, near Roanoke, Texas. The certified flight instructor (CFI) was not injured, and the private pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Land Aviation LLC, of Argyle, Texas, and operated by Marcair, of Roanoke, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight departed Northwest Regional Airport approximately 1425. The 260-hour private pilot was receiving a checkout for a tailwheel endorsement. The private pilot reported that prior to the flight, according to the cockpit fuel sight gauges, the left fuel tank indicated approximately 3/4 full of fuel, and the right tank indicated approximately 1/2 full of fuel. During the takeoff climb of the 3rd or 4th touch and go, "the engine lost power and began to sputter." The private pilot stated that the fuel selector was selected to the left fuel tank at the time the engine lost power. After the engine began to lose power, the CFI switched the fuel selector to the right tank position; however, no change in engine power was noted, and the CFI initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and terrain, and came to rest on its nose. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the right wing and the fuselage sustained structural damage. The FAA inspector stated that the fuel system was intact, the left main fuel tank was empty, the right main fuel tank contained "plenty of fuel," and the fuel was clear of contaminants.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18A-150
Tail NumberN9789D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMarcair
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 43 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 2 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data