# NTSB ANC87LA127: Piper PA-18, N8288Z, Merrill Pass, AK, August 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 17:05 local (Aug 24, 1987, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Merrill Pass, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAILED IN CRUISE FLIGHT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE STATEMENTS FROM THE PILOT, REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL DURING THE RETURN TRIP TO THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8288Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8288Z), registered now, S/N 28-8116071, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187218
- Airframe hours: 1774
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Palinski, doing business as Aviation Technical Services
- Registered owner: Tony Oney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1987, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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