# NTSB ANC88LA025: Piper PA-28, N9103W, Anchorage, AK, January 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1988, 12:23 local (16:23 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.180137, -149.879364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1801&lon=-149.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA025

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD SELECTED THE LEFT AUXILIARY FUEL TANK FOR TAKEOFF. DURING THE CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE QUIT; THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED SHORT OF A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE RAN THE LEFT AUXILIARY FUEL TANK DRY AND DID NOT SELECT ANOTHER FUEL TANK WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE AFTER THE ENG QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9103W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9103W), registered now, S/N 28-10716 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2810716
- Airframe hours: 1564
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold G.Griechen
- Registered owner: Harold G Griechen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: O'Malley, runway 34, 1,600 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,033 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 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: 28 °F, dew point 19 °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 19880116000809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880116000809A), Jan 16, 1988: Piper PA28235, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel starvation. Tried for a nearby airport but landed short. Had fuel in other tanks.

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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