Loss of Engine Power (Total): Cub Crafters PA18-150, N226JK, accident occurred March 21, 2018 near Eagle Creek Airport (51OK), Beggs, Oklahoma

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N226JK

Location: Beggs, OK
Accident Number: CEN18LA125
Date & Time: 03/21/2018, 1745 CDT
Registration: N226JK
Aircraft: CUB CRAFTERS PA18 150
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The private pilot stated that the takeoff was uneventful until the airplane reached about 50 ft above ground level and the engine experienced a total loss of power. The engine regained power momentarily, then lost power again. The pilot performed a forced landing during which the airplane impacted a ditch. The pilot reported that fuel selector may not have been secured in the "both" position detent at the time of the takeoff, and as a result, the engine may have lost power due to fuel starvation. A postrecovery examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to verify that the fuel selector was properly set before takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid management (Cause)

Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

On March 21, 2018, about 1745 central daylight time, a Cub Crafters PA18-150 airplane, N226JK, experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff from runway 36 (1,800 ft by 50 ft, turf) at the Eagle Creek Airport (51OK), Beggs, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained a minor injury; the passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that the pre-takeoff engine run up was normal. The accident takeoff was uneventful until the airplane reached about 50 ft above ground level when the engine lost power. The engine regained power momentarily, but then lost power again. The pilot executed a forced landing to an open grass area near the approach end of runway 8. The airplane impacted a ditch during the landing which caused the landing gear to collapse.

The airplane came to rest upright. The left wing struts were buckled, and both wings were deformed near midspan. The lower portion of the engine cowling exhibited upward crushing damage. The engine was displaced upward and to the left. The firewall and lower fuselage were deformed. The left side of the fuselage exhibited damage to the structural tubing along the cabin and baggage compartment.

A postrecovery examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a loss of engine power. A detailed summary of the examination is included in the docket associated with this accident investigation.

The pilot reported that about 30 gallons of fuel were on-board before takeoff. He stated that the fuel selector may not have been fully in the both position detent at the time of the accident takeoff, and as a result, the engine might have lost power due to fuel starvation. 

History of Flight

Initial climb
Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Emergency descent
Off-field or emergency landing

Landing
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 64, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/02/2017
Flight Time:  1849 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1137 hours (Total, this make and model), 1797 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CUB CRAFTERS
Registration: N226JK
Model/Series: PA18 150 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 9965CC
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/07/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 958.4 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Textron Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-360-C4P
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RVS, 638 ft msl
Observation Time: 1753 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 8°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / -2°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots, 100°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Beggs, OK (51OK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Beggs, OK (51OK)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1745 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Eagle Creek (51OK)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 740 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1800 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 35.793611, -96.029722 (est)