# NTSB ANC82DAG43: Piper PA-20, N7773K, Eagle River, AK, August 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1982, 19:30 local (Aug 24, 1982, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Eagle River, AK
- Location: 61.3214° N, 149.5678° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eagle River, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3214&lon=-149.5678&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG43
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG43

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft service - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ENG LOST POWER ABOUT 750 FT AFTER A WATER TAKEOFF. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT LANDING ROOM ON THE LAKE & THE ACFT HIT A DIKE. THE PILOT STATED HE FUELS THE ACFT FROM 5 GALLON CANS DUE TO NONAVAIABILITY OF AVIATION FUEL AT FIRE LAKE. APPROXIMATELY 2 CUPS OF WATER WAS FOUND IN CARBURETOR, FUEL LINES, GAS SEDIMATE BOWL AND TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7773K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7773K-2025-10-04), registration cancelled 2025-10-04, S/N 20-600, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1700-21
- Airframe hours: 3325
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alden Akers
- Registered owner: Alden Akers
- Departed: EAGLE RIVER, AK
- Destination: EAGLE RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 196 total, 59 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 131 °F

## 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 19820823041169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820823041169A), Aug 23, 1982: Piper PA20, Eagle River, AL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred when engine quit on takeoff due to fuel contamination.

## Other investigations on N7773K (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 ANC86LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA016), Dec 15, 1985: Piper PA-20 (N7773K), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage

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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