# NTSB ANC84LA025: Piper PA-18, N2894Z, Anchorage, AK, December 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1983
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220153, -149.850784 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2202&lon=-149.8508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (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): 4264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT, HE ENCOUNTERED FREEZING RAIN. ALTHOUGH HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, THE ENG CEASED OPERATING. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING PANEL WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT FREEZING RAIN HAD ENTERED THE CARBURETOR AIR SCOOP & FROZE ON THE AIR CLEANER FILTER ELEMENT, THUS RESTRICTING AIR FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2894Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2894Z), registered now, S/N 18-7078, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7078
- Airframe hours: 2602
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Studnek
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1983, 145 hours before
- Departed: STERLING, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,100 total, 610 in this make and model, 610 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19831216061469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831216061469A), Dec 16, 1983: Piper PA18, Sterling, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot flew into freezing rain and engine would not continue running. Crash occurred during emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N2894Z (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 ANC15CA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA022), Apr 19, 2015: Piper PA 18A 150 (N2894Z), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off with a gusting crosswind.

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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