# NTSB ANC83LA097: Piper PA-32-300, N15400, Quinhagak, AK, June 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1983, 21:10 local (Jun 13, 1983, 05:10 UTC)
- Place: Quinhagak, AK
- Coordinates: 59.740707, -161.889633 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.7407&lon=-161.8896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA097

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 50-70 FT AGL THE ENG QUIT. THE ACFT LANDED ABOUT 1,500 FT OFF THE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED FROM 50 GAL DRUMS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT TIP TANK CONTAINED ENOUGH WATER TO HAVE CAUSED ENG STOPPAGE. THE PLT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN HE REMOVED THE COVER FROM THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR VALVE IT CONTAINED A LARGE QUANTITY OF WATER. THE PLT STATED THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PERMITS NECESSARY TO INSTALL UNDERGROUND FUEL STORAGE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15400](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15400-1990-03-02), registration cancelled 1990-03-02, S/N 327340013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7340013
- Airframe hours: 2660
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Tri-City Air Service
- Registered owner: Norman L. Ovitt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1983, 53 hours before
- Destination: TOG, TOGIAK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: KWN, Quinhagak, runway 4, 2,900 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,782 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,738 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830612024709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830612024709A), Jun 12, 1983: Piper PA32300, Quinhagak, AK, Substantial damage. Crash occurred immediately after takeoff when engine stopped due to water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N15400 (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 ANC82FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FA009), Dec 4, 1981: Piper PA-32 (N15400), Tuntutuliak, 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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