# NTSB ANC90FA142: Piper PA-18, N7087B, Anchorage, AK, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 12:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219074, -149.850738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2191&lon=-149.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA142

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RAN THE RIGHT TANK DRY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT 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, cruise
  - fuel system,tank - starvation (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. A COMPLETE ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES. THE EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED NOTHING THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ENGINE FAILURE. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THAT THERE WAS FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK BUT NO FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT IN-FLIGHT SHORTLY AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7087B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185169
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Dowling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1989, 20 hours before
- Airport: MRJ, Merrill

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,352 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,290 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 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 19900812033429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900812033429A), Aug 12, 1990: Piper PA18A150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind. Struck vehicles landing on city street. Fuel selector on left tank with fuel, other empty.

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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