- Date
- June 8, 1991, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place
- Wasilla, AK
- Injuries
- 1 serious, 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N4319ZPiper PA-18-150
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 23, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 19910608020459A
- Case key
- 5482
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The powerplant failure for undetermined reasons and the collision with the wires.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot departed the airstrip and climbed to 500 feet AGL where he reduced power. He then switched on his fuel transfer pump and then switched the fuel selector from the left fuel tank position to the right fuel tank position. The engine stopped producing power approximately 1 minute after he selected the right fuel tank. He switched back to the left fuel tank, but was unable to start the engine. During his forced landing, the right wing struck powerlines. Subsequent engine examination and run showed no mechanical malfunction. Examination of the airplane fuel system showed no abnormalities.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4319Z
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18-150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-2681
- Airframe hours
- 3,264
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- David L. Grinde
- Registered owner
- David L. Grinde
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 2, 1990 · 209 hours before
- Departed
- Jackfish Landin, AK
- Destination
- Lake Creek, AK
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 39
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 2,230 total · 2,008 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °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.
Other investigations on N4319Z · 4
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.