# NTSB ANC89LA148: Piper PA-18, N202T, Mcgrath, AK, August 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1989, 11:51 local (19:51 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.609302, -154.780532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6093&lon=-154.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA148

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING, AND DECISIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper initial training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE STUDENT PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD. AFTER THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROW OF TREES. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS OPERATING THE AIRPLANE WITH BOTH AN EXPIRED STUDENT AND MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N202T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N202T), registered now, S/N 18-2316, built 1953 (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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2316
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Odegard, Ted
- Registered owner: Joseph Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 450 total, 450 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °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 19890822031509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890822031509A), Aug 22, 1989: Piper PA18, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Ran right fuel tank dry. Trying to land on a road, struck trees. Student permit and medical had expired.

## Other investigations on N202T (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 ANC86LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA163), Sep 21, 1986: Piper PA-18 (N202T), Windy Fork Rive, 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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