# NTSB ANC86LA120: Navion D-16, N50TA, Kotzebue, AK, August 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1986, 19:30 local (Aug 5, 1986, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239356, -161.189102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2394&lon=-161.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA120

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE LEFT FUEL VALVE WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LIFT-OFF BELOW THE RECOMMENDED VMC SPEED. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO EXIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY INTO A LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50TA-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N TTN-16, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION D-16
- Registry model: [Temco D-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/temco-d-16) (registry code 9230602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TTN16
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold L. Lucas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1986
- Destination: WTK, NOATAK, AK
- Airport: OTZ, Kotzebue

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,003 total, 50 in this make and model, 6,664 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OTZ

## 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 19860804037309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860804037309A), Aug 4, 1986: Multec D16, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Left engine lost power after early liftoff. Landed in a lake and sank. Left engine fuel selector on off position.

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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