# NTSB ANC84LA142: Piper PA-18-150, N4052Z, Chandalar, AK, August 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1984, 09:23 local (17:23 UTC)
- Place: Chandalar, AK
- Location: 67.5053° N, 148.4936° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chandalar, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.5053&lon=-148.4936&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): 4341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,other - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - fluid,oil - loss,partial
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - other
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

DURING FLT AT ABOUT 4500 FT MSL, THE ENG BEGAN A SEVERE KNOCKING, THEN A CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE ENG & OIL COMPLETELY COVERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PLT TRIED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING BESIDE THE CHANDALAR RIVER. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN THE RIVER IN ABOUT 4 FT OF WATER. REPORTEDLY, A CYLINDER BOLT HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4052Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4052Z), registered now, S/N 18-8054, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8054
- Airframe hours: 3695
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith C. Loontz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: SAVOONGA, AK
- Destination: CHANDALAR, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F

## 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 19840820041719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840820041719A), Aug 20, 1984: Piper PA18150, Chandalar Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing in lake after engine failure.

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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