# NTSB ANC91LA049: Piper PA-18-150, N1988P, Alexander Creek, AK, March 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1991, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Alexander Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 55.919601, -159.490921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9196&lon=-159.4909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA049

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING FROM FUEL SCREEN CONTAMINATION . A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - fuel system,screen - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A NON MECHANICAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE FORCED LANDING AREA CONTAINED SCRUB TREES AND DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THESE TREES CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE GASCOLATOR AND FUEL LINES CONTAINED DIRT AND DEBRIS FROM AN UNDETERMINED SOURCE. NO OTHER MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1988P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1988P), registered now, S/N 18-4223, built 1955 (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: 18-4223
- Airframe hours: 3150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles M. Muschany
- Registered owner: Charles M. Muschany
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1990, 69 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 423 total, 411 in this make and model, 374 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °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 19910331011969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910331011969A), Mar 31, 1991: Piper PA18150, Alexander Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry en route switched to other tank. Engine ran rough then quit. Landed in trees. Dirt in fuel lines.

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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