# NTSB ANC91LA126: Piper PA-14, N4201H, Seldovia, AK, August 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1991, 16:00 local (Aug 13, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Seldovia, AK
- Coordinates: 59.389003, -151.660568 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3890&lon=-151.6606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA126

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THE AIRPLANE DURING FLIGHT AND EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A BAY 50 MILES EAST OF SELDOVIA. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE QUIT AT 50 FEET MSL. AFTER AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE WATER, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH 18 GALLONS OF FUEL 1.5 HOURS EARLIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4201H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4201H), registered now, S/N 14-4 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-14
- Registry model: [Piper PA-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-14) (registry code 7101402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 144
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Snider
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910812036789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910812036789A), Aug 12, 1991: Piper STCPA14, Seldovia, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Pilot believed fuel exhausted after water takeoff. Struck beach on forced landing. Bounced into water.

## Other investigations on N4201H (1)

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 ANC70F0092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70F0092), Nov 30, 1969: Piper PA-14 (N4201H), Anchorage, AK, 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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