# NTSB ANC89FA143: Piper PA-19, N5417H, Anchorage, AK, August 19, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1989, 19:13 local (Aug 19, 1989, 03:13 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.190479, -149.9402 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1905&lon=-149.9402&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 June 28, 1991 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 5120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5120/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA143 ## Probable cause OPERATION WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY IN THE AIRCRAFT AND WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL DUE TO INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING AND TREE(S). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - water (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PLT RPRTD THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG BGN TO LOSE PWR. HE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE SEAPLANE BASE OR FINDANOTHER SUITABLE LNDG SITE. WHEN HE ATMTD TO LND ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE ACFT HIT A TREE, THEN CRASHED, HITTING APOSTBOX & FENCE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NML FLT. THE CARBURETORWAS DISASSEMBLED & WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN MORE THAN 1/4 INCH OF WATER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSSOF POWER APRX 2 WEEKS EARLIER, BUT MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING. HE DRAINED A LARGE QUANTITY OF WATER FROM THE RIGHTFUEL TANK (AS BEST HE COULD), BUT DECIDED TO OPERATE THE ACFT BY JUST USING THE LEFT FUEL TANK. HE SAID THAT HE USED THELEFT TANK FOR TAKEOFF ON THE ACDNT FLT, BUT AFTER THE OCCURRENCE, HE WAS CONCERNED THAT WATER FROM THE RIGHT TANK MAYHAVE CONTAMINATED THE REST OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5417H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5417H), registered now, S/N 19-3, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-19 - Registry model: [Piper PA-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-19) (registry code 7101902) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19-3 - Airframe hours: 3314 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donlan, Jeffrey M. - Registered owner: Carey, Ray G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1989, 33 hours before - Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: SXQ, SOLDOTNA, AK - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood, runway 14, 1,900 × 150 ft, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 230 total, 160 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 13 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ANC, 1 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 19890818030499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890818030499A), Aug 18, 1989: Piper PA19, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout from water runway. Struck tree, wires and curb,landing on street. Water in fuel. ## Other investigations on N5417H (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 ANC05CA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA024), Jan 22, 2005: Piper PA-19 (N5417H), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff/landing/taxi area, which resulted in an on-ground encounter with a berm, a loss of control on the ground, and collapse of the main landing gear. Factors… 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.