Piper PA-18-135 N802DA

Summary

On 31 May 2008 at about 15:15 local time, a Piper PA-18-135 registered N802DA, operated by SC Sky Signs LLC, was involved in an accident near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2008 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.8028, -78.7239

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-135

Registration

N802DA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

SC Sky Signs LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Banner Tow

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Conway → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC08LA201

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power due to thermally-induced failure of a piston. Contributing to the accident was the sustained engine exposure to abnormally high operating temperatures and detonation, and the exceedance of the engine manufacturer's recommended overhaul interval by approximately 1,200 hours.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed on a banner tow mission to the shoreline approximately 15 miles away. Approximately 6 miles prior to the shoreline, he noted a slight loss of altitude and added power to climb. He then noticed an increase in oil temperature and a decrease in oil pressure. He initially attempted to return to the departure airport, but could not maintain altitude. The pilot set up for a precautionary landing, but was unsuccessful when the engine lost power completely. The airplane struck trees while still airborne and came to rest in an open area. The Number 4 piston exhibited evidence of sustained exposure to abnormally high operating temperatures and detonation. A portion of the piston was thermally eroded from the head to below the oil scraper ring and the sidewall was penetrated in the eroded area. The operator monitored fleet fuel consumption very closely and encouraged the pilots to regularly lean the fuel mixtures. The engine had accumulated 3,200 hours since major overhaul, which was 1,200 hours beyond the manufacturer's recommended time of 2,000 hours.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.