# NTSB ANC91LA057: Piper PA-18, N83582, Dillingham, AK, May 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1991, 17:40 local (May 9, 1991, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 58.820522, -157.860626 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8205&lon=-157.8606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA057

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICING AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES PERTAINING TO CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA ONE HALF MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION AND ENGINE RUN REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT DID STATE THAT HE BELIEVED IT WAS CARBURETOR ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83582](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83582), registered now, S/N 18-7709092 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 187709092
- Airframe hours: 2173
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas K. Besh
- Registered owner: Thomas K. Besh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1991, 8 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BEVERLY LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 932 total, 600 in this make and model, 813 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 20 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLG, 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 19910508016969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910508016969A), May 8, 1991: Piper STCPA18, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind. Struck powerline and trees on forced landing. Carburetor icing.

## Other investigations on N83582 (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 ANC03CA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03CA080), Jul 17, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N83582), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB FTW77FPA29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPA29), Sep 11, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N83582), Honey Grove, TX, 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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