Accident Overview
On April 13, 2014, at approximately 1740 Atlantic standard time, a Piper PA-18-135, registration N2875D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight originated from Mercedita Airport (TJPS) in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and was destined for Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (TJIG) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Earlier that day, the pilot completed a three-hour banner tow flight, then serviced the airplane with 30 gallons of fuel. After a second, two-hour banner tow flight, the pilot planned to reposition the aircraft. Initially climbing to 7,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot encountered clouds and descended to 3,500 feet, maintaining that altitude for about five minutes. Approximately 14 nautical miles from the destination, the engine began losing power. The pilot performed the requisite emergency checklist items but was unsuccessful in restarting the engine, leading to the forced landing that resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
Aircraft Information
The airplane, manufactured in 1952, had a total fuel capacity of 36 gallons. In 2005, it was re-certificated in the restricted category. According to the operator, the most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on April 11, 2014, and the aircraft had accumulated 13 hours of operation since then. At the time of the accident, the airframe had 6,782 total hours, while the engine had 105 total hours since its most recent overhaul.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multiengine land, and instrument airplane, as well as a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single-engine rating. The most recent flight review was completed in August 2013, and the most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued in January 2014 with no waivers or limitations. The pilot reported 720 total hours of flight experience, with 285 hours in the accident airplane make and model. In the preceding 90 days, the pilot had accumulated 150 total hours, 130 of which were in the same make and model.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (TJSJ), San Juan, Puerto Rico, about 14 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, at 1756 included 10 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,400 and 5,000 feet, temperature 27 degrees Celsius, dewpoint 21 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of mercury.
Post-Accident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the airplane at the accident site. Despite damage incurred from impacting trees, both fuel tanks remained intact. The fuel tanks were absent of fuel, as were other examined components of the fuel system. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures, and the crankshaft was free to rotate.