# Accident 19971020030829A: Piper PA20, Naknek, AK, October 20, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 20, 1997, 18:00 local time
- Place: Naknek, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 58.8000° N, 156.9002° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8000&lon=-156.9002&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7049K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7049K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-20 (registry code 7102002, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA20
- Reported engine: LYC O320A2B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,850 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC98LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA005) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971020030829A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19)DEPARTED MININUM FUEL. ENGINE QUIT CRASH LANDED ON TUNDRA.                                                                                      (.4)THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL FLIGHT IN THE TAILWHEEL-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE WITH 1/4 TANK OF FUEL VISIBLE IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK SIGHT GAUGE.  THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE LEFT TANK.  THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL.  WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT, AND THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.  THE ENGINE STARTED, AND RAN FOR ANOTHER 3 MINUTES, BUT QUIT RUNNING A SECOND TIME.  THE PILOT SELECTED AN OPEN AREA OF TUNDRA AND PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING.  DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR WAS BROKEN FROM THE FUSELAGE.  THE PILOT LATER REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH 18 GALLONS OF FUEL.  THE PILOT SAID HE  ENCOUNTERED UNEXPECTED HEAD WINDS, AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS TO HIS RESERVE TANK.  THE ENGINE RAN A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN QUIT.  THE PILOT REPORTED AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A RESTRICTION IN THE FUEL GAUGE, PRODUCING A FALSE READING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC98LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA005), Oct 21, 1997: Piper PA-20 (N7049K), Naknek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

## Other reports on N7049K (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19901012045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901012045879A), Oct 12, 1990: Piper STCPA20 (N7049K), King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Took off in wet snow falling with ice and snow on airframe. Made pass at gravel bar and stalled on go around.
- [Incident 19880529057409I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529057409I), May 29, 1988: Piper PA20 (N7049K), Jack Fish Landi, AK, Minor damage. Student pilot damaged aircraft while taxiing for takeoff. Cause of damage not stated.
- [Incident 19800521053659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800521053659I), May 21, 1980: Piper PA20 (N7049K), Oakes, ND, Minor damage. Hard landing on farm field damaged gear and prop.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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