# NTSB ANC92LA156: Piper PA-22, N8420D, Port Alsworth, AK, September 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1992, 16:30 local (Sep 4, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.199016, -154.280166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1990&lon=-154.2802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA156

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER MANEUVER THAT UNPORTED THE LOW FUEL TANK. THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE SITE OF FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - aircraft control - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM A SMALL LAKE, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ALLOWED A STUDENT PILOT TO MAKE A FLAT, STEP TURN TAKEOFF.  DUE TO LOW FUEL IN THE TANKS, THE FUEL PICKUP UNPORTED AND THE ENGINE STOPPED AND STARTED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.  THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER ENGINE POWER OR RETURN TO THE LAKE PRIOR TO HITTING TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8420D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8420D), registered now, S/N 22-5675, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5675
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Glen R. Alsworth, doing business as Lake Clark Air
- Registered owner: Glen R. Alsworth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 100 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 15,500 total, 165 in this make and model, 15,500 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 6.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19920903035169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920903035169A), Sep 3, 1992: Piper PA22160, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout from step turn water takeoff. Stalled into trees. Reported low fuel prior departure.

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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