# NTSB ANC87FA112: Piper PA-18, N5416H, Anchorage, AK, July 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1987, 09:22 local (17:22 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219795, -149.850448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2198&lon=-149.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA112

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ram/induction air - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

TWO CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS INTENDED TO PRACTICE LANDINGS IN A TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANE. SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRST TAKE OFF, THE PIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND CRASHED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. A POST-CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT AIR DEFLECTOR VALVE IN THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX HAD DISENGAGED FROM ITS MOUNTING DUE TO CORROSION, AND HAD BLOCKED OFF ALL AIR TO THE CARBURETOR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5416H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5416H-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 18-7, built 1949 (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: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Frank Flores
- Registered owner: Glen C. Lowman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1987, 48 hours before
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,650 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 1 nm away

## 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 19870731040369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870731040369A), Jul 31, 1987: Piper PA18, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Partial power loss at 300 feet on takeoff due to a corroded separated carburetor heat deflector plate. Auto fueled.

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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