Engine failure and forced landing during banner tow flight

Casualties unknown • Soccastee, SC, US

An engine failure occurred during a banner tow operation, leading to a forced landing in a field where the aircraft subsequently nosed over.

What happened

During a banner tow flight, the pilot was alternately switching between fuel tanks. As the aircraft departed the operating area to return to base, the engine stopped running. The pilot performed a forced landing into a field, during which the airplane nosed over while rolling on the ground.

The investigation

Upon inspecting the accident site, the operator noted that there was no fuel remaining in the left tank, while the right tank remained nearly full. The fuel selector was found in the position for the left tank. Following the accident, an attempt to restart the engine was made after uprighting the aircraft; once the fuel selector was moved to the right tank position, the engine started and functioned correctly. A subsequent examination of the fuel system confirmed that the system was capable of normal operation.

Probable cause

The engine failure was caused by the pilot selecting a fuel tank that was empty.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-05-13 Piper PA-18-150 accident near Soccastee, SC?

An engine failure occurred during a banner tow operation, leading to a forced landing in a field where the aircraft subsequently nosed over.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-05-13 involved a Piper PA-18-150, registration N3841Z, operated by Sky Signs, Inc., at Soccastee, SC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failure was caused by the pilot selecting a fuel tank that was empty.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14568. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…