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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 4, 1994 · Piper J5C · N38532

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Piper J5C
Tail Number
N38532
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA001

THE PILOT STATED THAT 2 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF HE REDUCED POWER TO 2400 RPM. THE ENGINE DECELERATED TO 1000 RPM BY ITSELF AND THEN STOPPED PRODUCING POWER COMPLETELY. HE SELECTED A ROAD FOR A FORCED LANDING BUT DURING THE APPROACH A VEHICLE PULLED OUT ONTO THE ROAD. DURING THE PULL UP TO AVOID THE VEHICLE THE AIRCRAFT HIT POWERLINES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES. THE POSITION OF THE FUEL VALVE WAS UNDETERMINABLE BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD PLACED THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE OFF POSITION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE LACK OF A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

On October 3, 1994 at 1630 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N38532, registered to and operated by the pilot, experienced a loss of power after takeoff and was forced to land in a field near Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The personal flight was departing Merrill Field for a local flight and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, 2 minutes after takeoff he reduced the power to 2400 RPM. The engine decelerated by itself to 1000 RPM, hesitated and then stopped producing power completely. He applied carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks. He was unable to restart the engine. The pilot attempted to glide to a road. During the glide a vehicle pulled out onto the road and the pilot had to pull up to miss the vehicle. He was unable to lower the nose quickly enough to land before striking the wires at the far end of the selected forced landing area. The airplane struck the wires and "cartwheeled" to a stop. On scene examination of the engine by an FAA Inspector showed no external damage to the engine. Internal mechanical continuity was established and the engine rotated freely. The airplane's fuel system contained fuel which was blue in color. The position of the fuel selector during the takeoff and short flight was undeterminable because the fire department turned the fuel selector off. According to the FAA Inspector, he was unable to determine a mechanical reason for the loss of power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport1nm NNW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J5C
Tail NumberN38532
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 108
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:28
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data