# NTSB ANC86LA100: Piper PA-18, N5472H, Sparrovahn, AK, July 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1986, 06:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparrovahn, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 4694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR OCCURRED WHILE MANEUVERING OVER AN AREA TO OBSERVE THE TERRAIN. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A GRAVEL BAR DURING WHICH THE ACFT NOSED OVER. IN HIS RECOMMENDATION ON HOW THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, THE PLT REPORTED, 'YOU CAN NEVER CHECK YOUR FUEL ENOUGH.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5472H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5472H), registered now, S/N 18-64, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1864
- Airframe hours: 4624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Dejansen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1985, 110 hours before
- Departed: LIME VILLAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,285 total, 1,510 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °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 19860703030439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860703030439A), Jul 3, 1986: Piper PA18, Sparrovan, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control while landing on a gravel bar and nosed over into the river.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.