Accident Details
On April 11, 2008, at approximately 1515 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, registration N6845Z, impacted a river while maneuvering about 6 miles from Concrete, Washington. The airplane nosed over in 4 feet of water and sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, who owned the airplane, received a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, originating from Concrete Municipal Airport about 1500.
Pilot Report and Engine Examination
The pilot reported that earlier in the day he had performed a series of takeoffs and landings with no anomalies noted. After a 30- to 45-minute stop, he resumed flying. While flying "low and slow" over a river, he experienced a "power failure." The pilot noted that the airplane's engine had recently been overhauled. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator who examined the engine, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or anomaly was found.
Carburetor and Heat Control Assessment
The pilot asserted that the carburetor may have malfunctioned during the accident flight. The FAA coordinator had the carburetor examined and operationally tested; it functioned in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Additionally, the coordinator observed cable binding and/or kinking evidence consistent with a possible restriction of movement of the carburetor heat control. However, the evidence was not definitive regarding whether it would actually restrict movement. The pilot did not report an inability to activate the heat control. The coordinator also noted that the airplane had been partially disassembled prior to his examination.
Maintenance Logbook Findings
Entries in the airplane's maintenance logbook addressed the removal and reinstallation of the carburetor. However, the page bearing those entries, as presented to the FAA coordinator and the pilot's insurance company agent, were different. None of the entries were signed by any FAA certificated mechanic. The pilot's name was found in the logbook entries as having performed the carburetor's installation; the pilot does not hold any FAA mechanic certificate.