# NTSB ANC85LA003: Piper PA-18, N2583P, Big Susitna Rvr, AK, October 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1984, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Susitna Rvr, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 4433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PILOT STATED THAT A MORE THOROUGH PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2583P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2583P), registered now, S/N 18-4325, built 1955 (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: 184325
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gifford W. Nafus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1983, 94 hours before
- Departed: Z16, WASILLA, AK
- Destination: BIG SUSITNA RVR, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °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 19841009057589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841009057589A), Oct 9, 1984: Piper PA18A150, Big Susitna Riv, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff climb due to water in the fuel. Nosed over on a stall landing.

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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