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NTSB Report
July 29, 1989 · Cessna 180A · N9681B
Wasilla, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Wasilla, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180A
Tail Number
N9681B
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89FA130
THE PLT FLEW THE FLOAT PLANE TO COTTONWOOD LAKE FOR MAINTENANCE. A QUICK DRAIN WAS INSTALLED IN ONE WING OF THE ACFT & THE OTHER WING TANK WAS DRAINED. THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE LOW FUEL CONDITION, BUT DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE TANKS BEFORE THE FLT. THE MECHANIC, WHO WORKED ON THE ACFT, TOLD THE PLT OF THE LOW FUEL CONDITION, BUT THE PLT BELIEVED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO FLY TO WASILLA LAKE, WHICH WAS JUST 3 MI WEST OF COTTONWOOD LAKE. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT TRIED TO TURN BACK TO COTTONWOOD LAKE TO LAND, BUT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH ALT. HE SAID THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED INTO TREES AS HE WAS TURNING AWAY FROM A HOUSE. LESS THAN ONE GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN ONE TANK & THE OTHER TANK HAD ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL REMAINING. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, 1.5 GAL OF FUEL WAS UNUSABLE IN MANEUVERING FLT & ONE GAL WAS UNUSABLE IN LEVEL FLT.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING BACK TOWARD THE LAKE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE HOUSE & TREES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT FLEW THE FLOAT PLANE TO COTTONWOOD LAKE FOR MAINTENANCE. A QUICK DRAIN WAS INSTALLED IN ONE WING OF THE ACFT & THE OTHER WING TANK WAS DRAINED. THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE LOW FUEL CONDITION, BUT DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE TANKS BEFORE THE FLT. THE MECHANIC, WHO WORKED ON THE ACFT, TOLD THE PLT OF THE LOW FUEL CONDITION, BUT THE PLT BELIEVED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO FLY TO WASILLA LAKE, WHICH WAS JUST 3 MI WEST OF COTTONWOOD LAKE. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT TRIED TO TURN BACK TO COTTONWOOD LAKE TO LAND, BUT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH ALT. HE SAID THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED INTO TREES AS HE WAS TURNING AWAY FROM A HOUSE. LESS THAN ONE GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN ONE TANK & THE OTHER TANK HAD ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL REMAINING. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, 1.5 GAL OF FUEL WAS UNUSABLE IN MANEUVERING FLT & ONE GAL WAS UNUSABLE IN LEVEL FLT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 180A
Tail NumberN9681B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0