# NTSB ANC16CA058: Piper J5A, N35589, Sterling, AK, August 25, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2016, 18:30 local (Aug 25, 2016, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Sterling, AK - Coordinates: 60.530834, -150.258605 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5308&lon=-150.2586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 93828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93828/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93828 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA058 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which led to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing on a road too narrow for the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was returning from a local flight when he intentionally ran the right fuel tank dry. After switching fuel tanks, he attempted to restart the engine, but the attempt was unsuccessful. During an emergency landing on a narrow road, the right wing impacted brush and trees, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. ## Factual narrative The pilot was returning from a local flight when he intentionally ran the right fuel tank dry. After switching fuel tanks, he attempted to restart the engine, but the attempt was unsuccessful. During an emergency landing on a narrow road, the right wing impacted brush and trees, causing the airplane to turn towards the right and resulted in substantial damage to both wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35589](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35589), registered now, S/N 5-693 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J5A - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-693 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SXQ, SOLDOTNA, AK - Destination: SXQ, SOLDOTNA, AK - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review May 18, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 710 total, 35 in this make and model, 710 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: PASX, 23 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 20160824024209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160824024209A), Aug 24, 2016: Piper J5A, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he ran the aux fuel tank dry; had approxamately 9 gallons, half a tank, in the main fuel tank, and couldn't get the engine restarted. Landed… ## Other investigations on N35589 (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 ANC10CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA092), Sep 11, 2010: Piper J5A (N35589), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive use of brakes during a rejected takeoff, resulting in a nose over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93828. 696 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 488 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.