# NTSB ANC89FA056: Piper PA-18, N8677C, Chugiak, AK, April 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1989, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.41019, -149.169906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4102&lon=-149.1699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA056

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF POWERPLANT CONTROLS; AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING (TURNING LEFT), WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AT ABOUT 20 TO 30 FT AGL, HE MADE A POWER REDUCTION, THEN THE ENG LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING.  HE WAS NOT SURE HE COULD CLEAR A FENCE THAT WAS AHEAD & TURNED LEFT ABOUT 110 DEG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED ON RELATIVELY FLAT, FROZEN TERRAIN.  IT SLID 96 FT & CAME TO REST ABOUT 175 FT EAST OF THE RWY.  THE BROKEN CARBURETOR WAS REMOVED & DISASSEMBLED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR NOTICEABLE CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND.  THE ENG WAS OPERATIONALLY CHECKED; IT STARTED & OPERATED WITH NO PROBLEMS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACDNT.  THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 36 & 27 DEG, RESPECTIVELY.  ACCORDING TO CARB ICE CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE.  THE ACDNT OCCURRED AFTER THE PLT HAD INITIATED AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF WITH ABOUT 1960 FT OF RWY REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8677C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8677C), registered now, S/N 18-2822 (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: 18-2822
- Airframe hours: 2977
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles H. Dowrick
- Registered owner: Kelly L. Vrem
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 65 hours before
- Departed: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK
- Airport: Z15, Birchwood, runway 19, 4,010 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 30 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FRN, 10 nm away

## 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 19890404005779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890404005779A), Apr 4, 1989: Piper PA18, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Stalled and crashed off airport. Aircraft poorly maintained. Pilot exhibited low skill level

## Other investigations on N8677C (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 ANC73DAG62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG62), Nov 19, 1972: Piper PA-18 (N8677C), Skwentna, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.