N5546Z

On September 12, 2004, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N5546Z, registered to and operated by Aerial Sign of Puerto Rico, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 local flight, collided with a fence during an attempted forced landing at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico on September 12, 2004 at 1245.

According to the pilot, he completed banner tow operations in the local area, released the banner and made a left climbing turn. During the climb, the pilot reported that the engine lost power. Efforts by the pilot to restore engine power were unsuccessful. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to the right towards the approach end of runway 27. The pilot stated "due to low altitude, low airspeed, and the prevailing winds from the north it was impossible to complete the turn to the right to land on runway 27". The pilot elected to land on the available part of runway 27. The airplane was flying on a 120-degree magnetic heading and landed across the runway surface. The airplane continued to roll on an approximate 120-degree magnetic heading into the grass, collided with a fence, and came to rest in a construction zone 90 feet from the touchdown point.

The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. The wreckage path was approximately 30 feet wide and 25 feet long. Examination of the airplane revealed the wings detached, the main landing gear collapsed and damage to the engine and propeller. Also, two engine mounts were broken and the firewall was buckled. The fuel tanks were breached but more than 12 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left tank. Further examination on the engine was conducted on September 21, 2004 and September 28, 2004 by a Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector. The airworthiness inspector found no anomalies with the engine.

The pilot stated that he topped off both fuel tanks prior to the accident flight. The pilot did not report using carburetor heat during the flight. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were wind 360-degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, temperature 31-degrees Celsius and dewpoint 26-degrees Celsius.