# NTSB ANC87LA144: Piper PA-18, N4136E, Tanana, AK, September 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1987, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Tanana, AK
- Coordinates: 64.359916, -161.210281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3599&lon=-161.2103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA144

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE JUST LIFTED OFF THE LAKE WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE LAKE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE JUST RAN OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4136E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4136E), registered now, S/N 18-7809082, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 187809082
- Airframe hours: 640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-42B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Mclean
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1987, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,061 total, 4,061 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870906049889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870906049889A), Sep 6, 1987: Piper PA18150, Tanana, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit after water takeoff. Stalled and crashed into lake. Pilot reported the aircraft ran out of fuel.

## Other investigations on N4136E (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC26LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA028), Apr 22, 2026: Piper PA-18-150 (N4136E), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.

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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