# NTSB ANC83FAA07: Lowther Volmer VJ-22, N830PM, North Pole, AK, August 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1983, 14:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: North Pole, AK
- Coordinates: 64.769317, -147.329803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7693&lon=-147.3298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FAA07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FAA07

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS APPROACHING THE ARPT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT AND HE TURNED TOWARD AN OPEN FIELD AS HE DID NOT BELIEVE THEY COULD MAKE THE RWY. HE REMEMBERS THE ACFT STALLING AND SPINNING. THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN AREA OF SCRUB TREES AND BRUSH ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE PILOT REMEMBERED THE ENGINE QUITTING AND NOTED THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND FUEL PRESSURE WAS DOWN. THE WIFE REMEMBERED THE ENGINE SOUNDED FUNNY. WHEN SHE ASKED WHAT WAS WRONG HER HUSBAND SAID 'WEARE OUT OF FUEL-BUT WE CAN'T BE.' THE PILOT MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN AND THEN STALLED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE ACFT HAD MARGINAL CONTROL, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE YAW AXIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N830PM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LOWTHER VOLMER VJ-22 (VOLMER VJ-)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 188
- Airframe hours: 481
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James K. Boswood
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1983
- Departed: TANANA, AK
- Destination: 95Z, NORTH POLE, AK
- Airport: 95Z, Bradley Sky Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 10 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI, 10 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 19830813043569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830813043569A), Aug 13, 1983: Amtrva SPORTMANVJ22, North Pole, AK, Destroyed. Crash occurred when engine quit from fuel exhaustion on final approach for landing.

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.