# NTSB ANC85FA112: Douglas DC-3, N168Z, King Salmon, AK, June 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1985, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.750457, -156.539825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7505&lon=-156.5398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA112

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - separation
  - fluid,fuel - siphoning (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUMENT APCH, THE ACFT'S RIGHT ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT MOVED THE RIGHT FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK & BEGAN EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT BROKE OUT OF THE OVERCAST & THE AIRCREW SAW THE ARPT. HOWEVER, THE LEFT ENG ALSO LOST POWER. THE CAPTAIN NOTED THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS DROPPING & ELECTED TO LAND ON TUNDRA BESIDE A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT DURING AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CAPTAIN NOTED THAT THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS MISSING AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BUT HE DID NOT SEE ANY FUEL STAINS ON THE WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N168Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N168Z-2011-06-09), registration cancelled 2011-06-09, S/N 4316384, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3) (registry code 3021401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4316384
- Airframe hours: 18000
- Engines: P&W R-1830-92 1045 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William C. Crawford, doing business as Northern Peninsula Fisheries
- Registered owner: Northern Peninsula Fisheries
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1985, 21 hours before
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Destination: AKN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AKN, King Salmon, runway 29, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,250 total, 1,125 in this make and model, 4,170 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AKN, 3 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 19850630031189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850630031189A), Jun 30, 1985: Doug DC3, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway in tundra after engines quit from fuel starvation. Fuel cap had not been secured on one wing

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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