# NTSB ANC88FA057: Piper PA-18, N7224K, Wasilla, AK, May 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1988, 16:05 local (May 17, 1988, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA057

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE MAKING AN APPROACH TO THE WASILLA AIRPORT, WASILLA, AK, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A SHARP 180 DEGREE TURN TO TRY AND REACH A PAVED STREET ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED JUST PRIOR TO REACHING THE ROAD. THE ON-SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON AN EMPTY FUEL TANK, ALTHOUGH THE OPPOSITE TANK HAD AMPLE FUEL. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT'S CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN SUSPENDED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW AND AIRCRAFT ANNUAL INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS STEMMING FROM A 9/87 ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7224K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7224K), registered now, S/N 18-118, built 1950 (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: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 118
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald E. Hills
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: YETNA RIVER, AK
- Destination: WASILLA, AK
- Airport: Z16, Wasilla, runway 23, 2,100 × 90 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 150 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F

## 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 19880516016639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880516016639A), May 16, 1988: Piper PA18, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Ran a fuel tank dry on approach. Fuel in other tank. Stalled trying to land. No STC for altered aircraft or auto fuel

## Other investigations on N7224K (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 ANC84LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA154), Sep 3, 1984: Piper PA-18 (N7224K), Kashwitna River, AK, substantial damage

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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