1993-07-02: Piper PA-18 — Alden Brendemuhl — Felton, MN

Casualties unknown • Felton, MN, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A CRACKED CARBURETOR FLOAT, FUEL STARVATION, AND THE FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ANNUAL INSPECTION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED A RESTRICTED LANDING AREA RUNWAY FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING, AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE PILOT PERFORMED A 180 DEGREE TURN TOWARD THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY A POST IMPACT FIRE. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CARBURETOR FLOAT WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS IN IT. LIQUID EMERSION OF THE FLOAT REVEALED LIQUID PENETRATION INTO THE FLOAT. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 21 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-07-02 Piper PA-18 accident near Felton, MN?

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED A RESTRICTED LANDING AREA RUNWAY FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING, AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE PILOT PERFORMED A 180 DEGREE TURN TOWARD THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-07-02 involved a Piper PA-18, registration N1841A, operated by Alden Brendemuhl, at Felton, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A CRACKED CARBURETOR FLOAT, FUEL STARVATION, AND THE FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ANNUAL INSPECTION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12836. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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