Piper PA-18-135 N18JP accident near Inlet, New York

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination.

NTSB analysis

The pilot's preflight inspection of the float-equipped airplane revealed no anomalies, and he subsequently departed for a local flight. Shortly after departure, the engine began to run roughly and produce "surges of power." The pilot turned the airplane back toward the departure lake but then realized that the airplane's airspeed and altitude were insufficient to clear trees on the shore. While attempting to maneuver the airplane between trees, the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall and came to rest inverted near the lakeshore in about 8 to 12 inches of water.

Before the airplane was recovered from the lake, 6 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing tank. The right wing tank was breached during impact. Postaccident examination revealed no obvious defects of the engine or fuel system except for a mixture of water and fuel found in the carburetor float bowl. It could not be determined whether water was present in the bowl before the partial water submersion or as a result of it. Although atmospheric conditions were favorable to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power, it could not be determined if carburetor ice was present during the takeoff.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA211 for the full record.