# NTSB ANC85LA168: Piper PA-18-150, N74924, Mcgrath, AK, September 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1985, 11:37 local (19:37 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610702, -154.779953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6107&lon=-154.7800&mi=10
- 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): 4557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA168

## 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 - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE & ABOUT 15 MI FROM HIS DESTINATION, THE PLT NOTED THAT BOTH THE ENG RPM & THE OIL PRESSURE WERE DECREASING. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE AN EMERG LANDING IN AN AREA OF SMALL TREES & BRUSH NEXT TO A SWAMP. AN EXAM OF THE ENG WAS MADE, BUT NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74924](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74924), registered now, S/N 18-7509098, built 1975 (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: 187509098
- Airframe hours: 1048
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry R. Hannon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1984, 19 hours before
- Departed: BIG LAKE LODGE, AK
- Destination: MCGRATH, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,500 total, 4,400 in this make and model, 4,500 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: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19850902044819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850902044819A), Sep 2, 1985: Piper PA18150, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Engine lost oil pressure and quit. Landed in swamp. No malfunctions found. Indicates no oil prior to flight.

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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