Event Summary
On January 26, 2024, at approximately 1329 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18A-150, registration N7473D, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain near Eden, Oregon. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger suffered minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot and Passenger Statements
Both the pilot and passenger reported limited recollection of the accident flight. The pilot indicated they departed Joseph State Airport (JSY) in Joseph, Oregon, at 0955 with 36 gallons of fuel for a scenic flight. At an unknown point, they landed on a private airstrip owned by the passenger. The passenger stated they were returning from his property when impact occurred, about three hours into the flight. No further details could be recalled.
Fuel and Examination
First responders noted that the fuel selector was in the OFF position at the accident site. A recovery team representative drained approximately 2-3 gallons from the right-wing fuel tank and about 7 gallons from the left-wing fuel tank.
Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Both propeller blades remained attached to the crankshaft and were straight, with one blade tip bent toward the camber side and the other toward the blade face. An engine test run demonstrated smooth and continuous operation; the fuel system functioned normally when fuel was introduced at the wing root lines. A small oil leak was observed at the No. 3 cylinder exhaust tube, leading to a precautionary shutdown. The fuel tanks were not compromised.
Weather Conditions
The accident site was at a field elevation of approximately 2,900 feet mean sea level (msl), about 30 nautical miles from the nearest airport with an onsite weather reporting station. A High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model sounding was generated for the accident time and location. At 3,900 ft msl (1,000 ft above ground level), the sounding indicated a temperature of 38°F, dewpoint 29°F, and wind from 207° at 3 knots. At 4,900 ft msl, temperature was 32°F, dewpoint 23°F, wind from 204° at 9 knots. At 5,900 ft msl, temperature was 31°F, dewpoint 20°F, wind from 201° at 11.5 knots. The model indicated conditions conducive to serious icing at cruise power at 3,900 ft msl, and at higher altitudes, conditions were conducive to icing at both glide and cruise power.
Fuel Consumption
The airplane manufacturer had not developed a manual for this model, as it was not required under its Civil Aviation Regulations 3 certification. Fuel consumption data from the Lycoming engine manual listed 16.1 gallons per hour (gph) at 2,700 rpm and 200 hp, 12.3 gph at 75% power and 150 hp, and 9.5 gph at 65% power and 130 hp. Based on the fuel quantity at the accident site and the total flight time of 216 minutes, the calculated average fuel consumption was about 8 gph. The airplane crashed approximately 40 nautical miles north of its departure airport. Using a normal cruise airspeed of about 85 knots, the estimated fuel consumption to return from the accident site to the departure airport would have been 3-4 gallons.