PIPER PA-18-150

Full Narrative

On May 10, 2025, about 1412 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N333TM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Enumclaw, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight.
The pilot was conducting glider tow operations from Bergseth Field Airport (WN76), Enumclaw, Washington. According to the pilot, he departed WN76 and was conducting turns consistent with the operator’s standard departure procedure, with a glider in tow. At about 200 ft above ground level (agl), and in a left bank, the engine abruptly lost all power. The pilot lowered the airplane’s nose and verified that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank, carburetor heat was off, throttle was full forward, and magneto switch was on BOTH. The pilot released the glider from its tow and initiated a forced landing to a field about 1 mile northwest of WN76. During the landing, the airplane impacted a fence and subsequently ground looped.
The pilot reported that the accident flight was the fourth flight of the day, and that the airplane had started the day’s flights with “slightly less than half tanks on either side.” Prior to the accident takeoff, the left wing fuel tank sight gauge indicated approximately ¼ - ½ full, and the right wing fuel tank indicated approximately ¼ full.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing, both left and right wing lift struts, and fuselage.
The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.