# NTSB ANC10LA011: Piper PA-18, N146T, Willow, AK, December 31, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 2009, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.754165, -150.051666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7542&lon=-150.0517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75214/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75214
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA011

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s fuel selector valve was on before takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and his subsequent decision to attempt a low altitude turn towards the departure airport, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot was departing on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, personal flight. He said that shortly after takeoff, all engine power was lost, and he turned the airplane left, 180 degrees, in an attempt to return to the runway. During the turn, the airplane descended nose first into an area of snow-covered terrain, coming to rest inverted about 275-yards from the runway end. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane's fuel valve selector handle was in the near off position. No mechanical anomalies were discovered during the wreckage examination. The pilot said that he fueled the airplane just before the accident flight, but he could not recall if he closed the fuel valve while fueling. He speculated that he may have inadvertently moved the fuel valve selector handle while boarding the airplane, while wearing a pair of heavy, thick, insulated overalls. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, he indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and in the section of the report "Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented?)" the pilot wrote, in part: "Do checklist" and "Land straight ahead when the engine stops." Given the lack of mechanical deficiencies with the airplane's engine or flight controls, in conjunction with the pilot’s statement, it is likely the pilot failed to ensure that the airplane's fuel valve was properly positioned before takeoff, and then failed to adequately maintain control of the airplane while returning to the airport after the power loss.

## Factual narrative

On December 31, 2009, about 1400 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, N146T, received substantial damage when it collided with snow-covered terrain following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Runway 31 at the Willow Airport, Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, when the accident occurred. The sole occupant, a private pilot, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was returning to the pilot's private airstrip in Wasilla, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on December 31, an Alaska state trooper that responded to the site just after the accident said when he arrived on scene, the pilot had already crawled out of the airplane to wait for arriving rescue crews. The state trooper said that the pilot told him that just after takeoff, as the airplane climbed to 200 feet agl, all engine power was lost. He then began a left turn back to the airport, which was followed by a rapid, nose and left wing low descent. The airplane collided with an area of snow-covered terrain about 275-yards west of the departure end of Runway 31. It came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane do a series of touch-and-go landings on Runway 31 prior to refueling. After the pilot refueled the airplane, it departed Runway 31 on the accident takeoff. On January 1, 2010, two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspectors from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident airport, and examined the airplane before recovery efforts began. The FAA inspectors reported that upon their arrival, the airplane’s undamaged fuel valve selector handle was discovered near the off position. Further examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. Due to the pilot’s extensive injuries sustained in the accident, he was not interviewed by the NTSB IIC until after his release from the hospital and after his recovery. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC on February 2, 2010, the pilot stated that after completing a series of touch-and-go landings at the Willow Airport, he elected to purchase fuel from a local self-serve fuel vendor before returning to his private airstrip in Wasilla. After filling both of the airplane's wing-mounted fuel tanks, the pilot said he taxied the airplane to a friend's hangar, and after a short visit with his friend, he taxied the airplane to Runway 31, then immediately started his takeoff run. He said that just after takeoff all engine power was lost. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot turned the airplane left, 180 degrees, to attempt an emergency landing on Runway 13, but it continued to descend,followed by a rapid, nose low descent. He said the airplane collided with an area of snow-covered terrain, in a nose down attitude, and the airplane nosed over after impact. The pilot stated that he could not recall if he closed the fuel valve while fueling, or while he visited with his friend, or if he may have inadvertently moved the fuel valve selector handle while boarding the airplane, while wearing a pair of heavy, thick, insulated overalls. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. Additionally, in the section of the report labeled "Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented?)" the pilot wrote, in part: "Do checklist" and "land straight ahead when the engine stops."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N146T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N146T), registered now, S/N 18-2260, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2260
- Airframe hours: 3610
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Curtis Glen Green Jr, Trustee
- Registered owner: Curtis Glen Green Jr, Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 2009
- Departed: UUO, Willow, AK
- Destination: IYS, Wasilla, AK
- Airport: UUO, Willow Airport, runway 31, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,708 total, 221 in this make and model, 1,688 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: PAWS, 18 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20091231052889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091231052889A), Dec 31, 2009: Piper PA-18, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. During climbout from the Willow Airport runway 13, at approximately 200 - 300 feet the engine quit running without warning. The pilot attempted a LH turn and…

## Other investigations on N146T (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 ANC86LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA136), Aug 19, 1986: Piper PA-18 (N146T), Mcneil River, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75214. 595 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 595 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335123&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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