# NTSB ANC89LA118: Piper PA-20, N7029K, Eureka, AK, July 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1989, 23:00 local (Jul 8, 1989, 07:00 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, AK
- Location: 65.1794° N, 150.2144° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eureka, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.1794&lon=-150.2144&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA118

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - other
  - weather condition - high density altitude
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN HIS AIRPLANE & HAD MADE NUMEROUS TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS IN RAPID SUCCESSION. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 50 DEGREES, THE SKY WAS CLEAR & THE AIRSTRIP ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 4000 FT. JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ENGINE COUGHED ONCE, THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY AS IF SOMEONE HAD TURNED IT OFF. SUBSQUENTLY THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED DURING A LANDING ON UNEVEN TUNDRA. NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITTIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRPLANE. THE CARBURETOR COMPOSITE FLOAT WAS WEIGHTED & FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECIFIED LIMITS, BUT WHEN SECTIONED, IT GAVE OFF A SLIGHT HYDROCARBONODOR. VAPOR PRESSURE OF THE AUTO FUEL WAS RPRTD TO BE 15 PSI AS COMPARED TO 5 PSI FOR 100 OCTANE AVIATION FUEL (AUTO FUEL MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO VAPOR LOCK).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7029K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7029K), registered now, S/N 20-138, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (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: 20-138
- Airframe hours: 1851
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D-135 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dave Hannam
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1989, 34 hours before
- Airport: Dirt Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 189 total, 27 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890707021119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890707021119A), Jul 7, 1989: Piper PA20, Eureka, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Landed in rough terrain off end of rough strip. May have had vapor lock. Auto fuel.

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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