# NTSB ANC93LA021: Piper PA-18, N1954P, Anchorage, AK, December 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1992, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160434, -149.989395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1604&lon=-149.9894&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 September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA021

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A SHORT IN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE PILOT TO MAKE THE FORCED LANDING ON.

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB THE PILOT SMELLED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRES, AND THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE.  THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.  THE OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING ON THE MUD FLATS RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE WHEN IT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION FOUND THAT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAD SHORTED OUT. THIS CAUSED A BRIEF LOCALIZED FIRE WHICH BURNED AND SHORTED OUT THE MAGNETO 'P' LEADS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system,voltage regulator - shorted (cause)
- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1954P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1954P), registered now, S/N 18-4181, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 18-4181
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Hugh
- Registered owner: Smith, Hugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1992, 7 hours before
- Departed: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Z41, Lake Hood, runway 31, 2,200 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 2 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 19921213049919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921213049919A), Dec 13, 1992: Piper PA18A150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Smoke in cockpit and power loss on takeoff. Nosed over landing in mud flats. Regulator shorted. Burned mag p leads.

## Other investigations on N1954P (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 ANC74DAG25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG25-134394), Aug 24, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N1954P), Cantwell, 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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