# NTSB ANC84LA173: Piper PA-18, N7690L, Nushagak River, AK, September 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1984, 19:00 local (Sep 4, 1984, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Nushagak River, AK
- 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): 4369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE WAS FLYING ALONG A RIVER WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. HE LOCATED THE NEAREST POSSIBLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE, SWITCHED TANKS, APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, AND PUMPED THE THROTTLE AND PRIMER. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. THE WX WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. THE ACFT WAS CRASH LANDED IN A HEAVY SWAMP AND COULD NOT BE RECOVERED FOR INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7690L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187409123
- Airframe hours: 3300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bob Hannon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1983, 50 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,950 total, 3,900 in this make and model, 3,870 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 28 °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 19840903050819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840903050819A), Sep 3, 1984: Piper PA18150, Nushagak River, AK, Destroyed. Reported engine sputtered and quit flying along a River. Crashed in a swamp not recovered. Possible carburetor ice.

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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