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NTSB Report
August 4, 1989 · Piper PA-18 · N679RK
Canyon Creek, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Canyon Creek, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N679RK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89LA132
THE PLT STATED THAT ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. RPRTDLY, IT LOST POWER AFTER THE LEFT TANK EMPTIED. HE SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK, BUT RPRTDLY THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO OBTAIN A RESTART BEFORE HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON ROUGH TERRAIN. THE PLT RPRTD HE NORMALLY OPERATED THE ACFT BY USING FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK & HAD NOT USED FUEL FROM THE RIGHT TANK IN SEVERAL MONTHS. HE BELIEVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER MAY HAVE COME FROM THE RIGHT TANK & PREVENTED AN IMMEDIATE RESTART OF THE ENG. THE ACDNT OCCURRED IN A REMOTE AREA & THE OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT WERE NOT RECOVERED FOR SIX DAYS. THE ACFT WAS NOT RETRIEVED (AS OF THE DATE OF THE PLT'S ACDNT RPRT).
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION CONCERNING FUEL MANAGEMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: PROBABLE WATER IN THE FUEL, INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR AN ENGINE RESTART, AND THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. RPRTDLY, IT LOST POWER AFTER THE LEFT TANK EMPTIED. HE SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK, BUT RPRTDLY THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO OBTAIN A RESTART BEFORE HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON ROUGH TERRAIN. THE PLT RPRTD HE NORMALLY OPERATED THE ACFT BY USING FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK & HAD NOT USED FUEL FROM THE RIGHT TANK IN SEVERAL MONTHS. HE BELIEVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER MAY HAVE COME FROM THE RIGHT TANK & PREVENTED AN IMMEDIATE RESTART OF THE ENG. THE ACDNT OCCURRED IN A REMOTE AREA & THE OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT WERE NOT RECOVERED FOR SIX DAYS. THE ACFT WAS NOT RETRIEVED (AS OF THE DATE OF THE PLT'S ACDNT RPRT).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN679RK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO