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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 23, 2010 · Piper PA-18-150 · N40283

Clear, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 23, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Clear, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N40283
Operator
Mark a Keech
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC11CA005

The pilot reported that while in level cruise flight, the airplane's engine began to lose power, and then lost all power. He said he was unable to restart the engine, and selected a snow and tree-covered area as a forced landing site. During the forced landing, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and left wing. He said that at the time of the accident the outside air temperature was minus 22 degrees F, and that during his postaccident inspection of the airplane he discovered that the engine fuel gascolator filter had become blocked by ice crystals. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted that the accident might have been prevented if he had removed the gascolator during his preflight to check for ice crystals, or preheated the engine, and then drained the water from the gascolator.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water/ice in the fuel system.

Full Narrative

The private pilot reported that while in level cruise flight, the airplane's engine began to lose power, and then lost all power. He said he was unable to restart the engine, and selected a snow and tree-covered area as a forced landing site. During the forced landing, the airplane's left wing collided with a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and left wing. The pilot said that at the time of the accident the outside air temperature was minus 22 degrees F, and that during his postaccident inspection of the airplane he discovered that the engine fuel gascolator filter had become blocked by ice crystals. The pilot indicated in his written report to the NTSB that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted that the accident might have been prevented if he had removed the gascolator during his preflight to check for ice crystals, or preheated the engine, and then drained the water from the gascolator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN40283
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMark a Keech
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point-22 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data