# NTSB ANC83FA070: Piper PA-18, N1827A, Chugiak, AK, April 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1983, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.410995, -149.170867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4110&lon=-149.1709&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA070

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A FORCED LANDING AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MADE THE TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE LEFT TANK REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANK EXCEPT FOR RESIDUAL FUEL. TEST OF THE FUEL REMAINING INDICATED USE OF AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1827A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1827A-2011-05-12), registration cancelled 2011-05-12, S/N 18-1678, 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: 18-1678
- Airframe hours: 3350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vince Morrison
- Registered owner: Kenneth D. Mcdonald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: CHUGIAK, AK
- Destination: KNIK, AK
- Airport: John Graybill, runway 27, 1,200 × 20 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 190 total, 100 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 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 19830417014249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830417014249A), Apr 17, 1983: Piper PA18, Chugiak, AK, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry. Unable restart on other tank containing auto fuel. Struck a tree and crashed inverted on a road.

## Other investigations on N1827A (4)

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 ANC86LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA031), Feb 23, 1986: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Houston, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC85LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA072), Apr 24, 1985: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Beluga, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC85LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA037), Jan 10, 1985: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC77DAH30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH30), Sep 14, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Sparrevohn, 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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