Piper PA-18-150 N2991Z

Summary

On 18 July 2012 at about 14:45 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N2991Z, operated by Barnstormer Elite Signs Inc., was involved in an accident near North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 2012 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Grand Strand (CRE)

Coordinates

33.8117, -78.6889

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N2991Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Barnstormer Elite Signs Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Banner Tow

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

North Myrtle Beach → North Myrtle Beach

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA468

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was towing a banner near the shoreline at an altitude of about 500 feet when the engine began to lose power. He applied carburetor heat; however, the engine continued to lose power and then stopped completely. The pilot was not able to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to the water. He exited the airplane before it sank to a depth of about 30 feet. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation; however, the engine exhibited significant damage consistent with saltwater corrosion, which precluded a check of the fuel and ignition systems. The airplane had been operated for about 50 hours since its most recent 100 hour inspection, which was performed about 9 days before the accident, and the engine had been operated for about 150 hours since it was overhauled about 1 month before the accident. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to carburetor icing at glide power and cruise power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.