On May 10, 1992, a Piper PA-18 (registration N7282K) operated by Beshaler, Charles F. was involved in an aviation accident near Arnold, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE CARBURETOR FLOAT LEVEL BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON, AND THE PILOT'S DISREGARDING WEIGHT-AND-BALANCE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A two-seat airplane carrying three occupants, loaded at its rear CG limit due to a kneeling passenger, experienced engine cutouts during a reversal turn and pitched down to ground impact. Investigation found carburetor float maladjustment and contaminated fuel.
Overview
The two-seat airplane was occupied by three individuals: a pilot and two passengers. One passenger knelt behind the rear seat, a configuration that placed the aircraft at its rear center-of-gravity limit. The airplane was observed at a distance of approximately one mile from its farm strip while executing a turn to reverse direction. The engine was operating but experienced intermittent cutouts. As the turn neared 180 degrees of angle, the airplane abruptly pitched downward and descended to the ground, resulting in impact.
Investigation Findings
An examination of the wreckage revealed no discrepancies in the airframe structure or systems. The engine was found to have been running rich, a condition attributable to a maladjustment of the carburetor float. The fuel supply consisted of auto gasoline drawn from the farm's own supply. Analysis of this fuel determined that it was stale and contained water contamination. No other mechanical anomalies were reported.
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