# NTSB ANC84LA084: Piper PA-20, N8510C, Big Delta, AK, June 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1984, 20:30 local (Jun 6, 1984, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Delta, AK
- Coordinates: 63.700141, -144.890609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7001&lon=-144.8906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (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): 4298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA084

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SWITCHED THE TANK SELECTOR WHILE CRUISING IN FLT AND THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SAID HE THEN PRIMED THE ENGINE AND TRIED TO START IT, BUT FAILED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT WAS RIGHTED, THE TANK SELECTOR WAS APPROPRIATELY CHANGED & THE ENGINE WAS STARTED & RAN NORMALLY. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PROPERLY LABELED AND OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8510C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8510C-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N 22-1225, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1225
- Airframe hours: 2059
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Moser
- Registered owner: Jon W. Dufendach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: 25AK, DELTA JUNCTION, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 30 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIG, 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 19840605024099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840605024099A), Jun 5, 1984: Piper PA22135, Big Delta, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit after switching fuel tanks. Nosed over on forced landing. Fuel selector in off position. Engine normal.

## Other investigations on N8510C (2)

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 ANC94FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94FA074), Jul 1, 1994: Piper PA-22 (N8510C), Delta Junction, AK, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN A STALL/SPIN.
- [NTSB ANC87LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA143), Sep 7, 1987: Piper PA-22-135 (N8510C), Iowa Ridge, 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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