# NTSB ANC90LA054: Piper PA-18, N40872, Willow, AK, April 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1990, 17:00 local (Apr 13, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.889755, -149.729675 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8898&lon=-149.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA054

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - fuel system,selector/valve - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

DURING THE CLIMBOUT, THE PILOT SWITCHED THE FUEL TANKS, THE ENGINE QUIT, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE NEW FUEL VALVE WAS INSTALLED JUST PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE VALVE WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N40872 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188102
- Airframe hours: 4305
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A44 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Vandergaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1990, 15 hours before

## 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: 2,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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