# NTSB ANC82DAG35: Piper PA-28-140, N9891W, Wasilla, AK, July 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1982, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG35
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG35

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose down, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT HAD OPPORTUNITY TO REFUEL AND DID NOT. ON ONE FLIGHT BEFORE ACCIDENT HE SUCCESSFULLY MADE A FORCED LANDING DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. HE FIGURED HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR ONE MORE FLIGHT. DURING THIS FLIGHT ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT LANDED IN A DITCH ALONGSIDE A HIGHWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9891W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9891W), registered now, S/N 28-10698 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23411
- Airframe hours: 2621
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Becker
- Registered owner: Paul Becker
- Departed: TALKEETNA, AK
- Destination: KENAI, AK
- Airport: Wasilla

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 393 total, 247 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles

## 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 19820712027339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820712027339A), Jul 12, 1982: Piper PA28140, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Aware of low fuel, departed for another airport to obtain fuel. Fuel exhuastion en route. Landed in a ditch.

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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