# NTSB ANC83FAG05: Piper PA 28-140, N1642J, Chugiak, AK, March 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1983, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.409717, -149.16954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4097&lon=-149.1695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FAG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FAG05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT ORIGINATED AT ANCHORAGE, AK AT APRX 1400 AST. WHILE FLYING IN THE VICINITY OF KNIK GLACIER, SOME SHEEP WERE OBSERVED & THE PLT CIRCLED IN THE AREA 2 TIMES. DURING THE 2ND TURN, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ERRATICALLY. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT & THE ENGINE SMOOTHED OUT. HE THEN DIVERTED TO PALMER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS CHECKED & OPERATED NORMALLY. THEREFORE, HE DEPARTED PALMER AND CONTINUED THE FLIGHT TO WASILLA, AK WHERE HE LANDED FOR A COFFEE BREAK. AT APRX 1550, THEY DEPARTED WASILLA FOR THE RETURN FLT TO ANCHORAGE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE CLIMBED TO 3500 FT MSL, & AFTER CROSSING THE KNIK ARM, PROCEEDED ALONG THE MTNS. IN THE VICINITY OF PETER'S CREEK, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. THE PLT REPORTED HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, BUT THE ENGINE RAN ROUGHER, SO HE DECONTINUED ITS USE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED & THE PLT MADE A CRASH LANDING. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 40 & 23 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS. VISIBLE ICING WAS PROBABLE AT CRUISE OR GLIDING POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1642J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1642J-2012-07-19), registration cancelled 2012-07-19, S/N 28-24033, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2824033
- Airframe hours: 63980
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1983, 407 hours before
- Departed: WASILLA, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 94 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 19,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 20 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 19830313009119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830313009119A), Mar 13, 1983: Piper PA28140, Chugiak, AK, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Unable to clear rising terrain. Engine and instrument stolen after crash. No findings possible.

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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