# NTSB ANC92LA035: Piper PA-18A-150, N3877P, Anchorage, AK, February 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1992, 12:28 local (16:28 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160266, -149.990936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1603&lon=-149.9909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5689/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA035

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE FUEL CONSUMPTION OF THE AIRPLANE; THEREBY EXHAUSTING THE FUEL SUPPLY PREMATURELY. FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## 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 - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT HIS INTENDED DESTINATION DUE TO FOG, SO HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE LAKE HOOD AIRSTRIP.  WHILE ON A THREE MILE FINAL, THE PILOT REPORTED AN ENGINE FAILURE AND STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO LAND TO THE WEST.  HE DID NOT REACH THE LAKE AND WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND STRUCK A HOUSE AND A TREE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED NO MEASURABLE QUANTITY OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS, AND NO FUEL ODOR IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPLANE AND NO DISCOLORATION OF THE SURROUNDING SNOW.  EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR SHOWED NO RESIDUAL FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL OR ASSOCIATED FUEL LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3877P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3877P), registered now, S/N 18-4703, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4703
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Clark
- Registered owner: Melvin B. Gillis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1991

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,100 total, 800 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 3 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 19920213002939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920213002939A), Feb 13, 1992: Piper PA18A150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on short final. Landing on city street struck trees. Fuel tanks were empty.

## Other investigations on N3877P (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 ANC89LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA150), Aug 18, 1989: Piper PA-18A (N3877P), Copper Center, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING BY THE PILOT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN HE IMPROPERLY APPLIED HARD BRAKING DURING A WHEEL LANDING.

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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