# NTSB ANC86FA152: Piper PA-18-150, N3996P, Wasilla, AK, September 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1986, 11:37 local (19:37 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86FA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA152

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FLOAT PLANE CRASHED INTO TREES AT END OF LAKE JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE BACKFIRE AND SPUTTER BEFORE IT QUIT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO DISCLOSE MECANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3996P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3996P), registered now, S/N 18-4757, built 1956 (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: 1804757
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Janet B. Porter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: Z16, WASILLA, AK
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Z16, Wasilla Lake Seaplane

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19860913044999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860913044999A), Sep 13, 1986: Piper PA18150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. The engine lost power on takeoff. The floatplane hit the trees. Had been fueled with auto gas without an STC.

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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