# NTSB ANC87LA159: Piper PA-18, N4370A, Skwentna, AK, September 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1987, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930629, -151.729034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9306&lon=-151.7290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA159

## 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)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER BUT CONTINUED TO WINDMILL. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO A GRAVEL BAR AND INTENTIONALLY GROUNDLOOPED TO AVOID HITTING OBSTRUCTIONS. THE PILOT STATED HE BELIEVED THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4370A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4370A), registered now, S/N 18-4772, built 1956 (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: 184772
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl Payne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1986, 86 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 9,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 8,900 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
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °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 19870915058959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870915058959A), Sep 15, 1987: Piper PA18150, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landed long on nearby strip. Intentionally ground looped to keep out of hole end of runway

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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