# NTSB ANC90LA115: Piper PA-18-150, N8519Y, Canning River, AK, July 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1990, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Canning River, AK
- Coordinates: 70.430099, -149.289505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4301&lon=-149.2895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA115

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - light(s) - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE FLYING INTO A CANYON AT ABOUT 600 FT AGL. AFTER SWITCHING TO ANOTHER TANK, IT RESTARTED, BUT THE DESCENT COULD NOT BE ARRESTED BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE TREES. THE PILOT THOUGHT THE ENGINE QUIT FROM CONTAMINATION IN THE TANK, WHICH WAS AT A VERY LOW LEVEL. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8519Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8519Y), registered now, S/N 18-8885, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188885
- Airframe hours: 2223
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven H. Porter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1990, 20 hours before
- Destination: SEC, DEADHORSE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,100 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900709025349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900709025349A), Jul 9, 1990: Piper PA18150, Canning River, AK, Substantial damage. Flying through a canyon engine quit, then started on other tank too late before impact. Believe contaminated fuel.

## Other investigations on N8519Y (2)

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 ANC86LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA064), May 30, 1986: Piper PA-18 (N8519Y), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC74DCJ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DCJ11), Sep 25, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N8519Y), Ainsworth, NE, 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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