# NTSB ANC79FA016: Piper PA-18, N7166B, Copper Center, AK, November 5, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 5, 1978
- Place: Copper Center, AK · COPPER CENTER, AK
- Location: 62.0081° N, 145.3927° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Copper Center, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0081&lon=-145.3927&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC79FA016
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79FA016

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4240   78/11/5 NR.COPPER CENTER,AK   PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 24, 1348
        TIME - 1200                    N7166B              PX-  1  0  0  HUNTING                   TOTAL HOURS, 605 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GULKANA,AK                 COPPER CENTER,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ANTI-ICING/DEICING EQUIPMENT-IMPROPER OPERATION OF/OR FAILED TO USE
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- R FUEL TANK EMPTY,L TANK RUPTURED,FUEL SEL FOUND ON L TANK.CARB HEAT NOT USED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7166B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7166B), registered now, S/N 18-5193, built 1956 (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: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19781105044249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781105044249A), Nov 5, 1978: Piper PA18S125, Copper Center, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. R fuel tank empty,l tank ruptured,fuel sel found on l tank. Carb hnot used.

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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