Pilot: Engine Quit, Plane Down In Swamp

A Coast Guard helicopter crew is credited with rescuing a downed pilot in a swamp near Savannah, GA, Sunday, after the pilot's recently restored Piper Super Cub apparently lost all engine power.

David Johnson, 46, was headed for Hilton Head Airport to refuel when the engine quit, according to a Coast Guard spokesman. Johnson was on a trip from New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Lt. Patrick Lineberry said Johnson was unable to find a straight, level place to set down his 1940s-era PA-18. So he pointed the aircraft toward the swamp and made a dead-stick landing.

Once safely on the ground, Lineberry said Johnson called 911 and was located shortly thereafter. He was flown to Hunter Army Airfield, where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

FAA Preliminary Accident Report

IDENTIFICATION
 Regis#: 2168G    Make/Model: PA18   Description: PA-18 Super Cub (L-18C, L-21,
 Date: 02/13/2005   Time: 1800

 Event Type: Incident  Highest Injury: None   Mid Air: N  Missing: N
 Damage: Unknown

LOCATION
 City: HINESVILLE         State: GA  Country: US

DESCRIPTION
 ACFT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE AT 1200AGL AND CRASHED INTO A SWAMP, NO
 INJURIES REPORTED, DAMAGE IS UNKNOWN, HARRIS NECK, NEAR HINESVILLE, GA

INJURY DATA   Total Fatal:  0
         # Crew:  1   Fat:  0   Ser:  0   Min:  0   Unk: 
         # Pass:   0  Fat:  0   Ser:  0   Min:  0   Unk: 
         # Grnd:       Fat:  0   Ser:  0   Min:  0   Unk: 

WEATHER: NOT REPORTED                               

OTHER DATA

 Departed: FERNANDINA BEACH,FL     Dep Date:  Dep. Time:  
 Destination: HILTON HEAD, SC     Flt Plan: UNK     Wx Briefing: Y
 Last Radio Cont: NONE
 Last Clearance: NONE

 FAA FSDO: COLLEGE PARK, GA (SO11)       Entry date: 02/14/2005

FMI: www.ntsb.gov