# NTSB ANC93LA100: Cessna 180, N7627A, Merrill Pass, AK, June 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1993, 17:30 local (Jun 19, 1993, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Merrill Pass, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159584, -149.990585 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1596&lon=-149.9906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE FUEL CALCULATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED HE FELT THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE SHOWED NO FUEL IN THE TANKS AND NO FUEL ODOR PRESENT.

## Factual narrative

On June 18, 1993 at 1730 Alaska daylight time a float equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N7627A, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command, experienced a loss of power and was forced to land in the brush approximately 70 miles West of Anchorage, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Telequana Lake and the destination was Lake Hood in Anchorage.  A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The Pilot-in-Command and his one passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the Pilot-in-Command, he refueled the airplane at Alegnigig and flew to Bethel and then to Telequana Lake.  While enroute through Merrill Pass the engine stopped producing power.  The Pilot stated it was similar to fuel starvation.  He stated he felt the airplane ran out of gas.  Examination of the airplane by a mechanic showed no noticeable fuel level in the tanks and no fuel odor on the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7627A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7627A), registered now, S/N 32524, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32524
- Airframe hours: 5474
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frazier, David
- Registered owner: Frazier, David J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1993, 87 hours before
- Departed: TELEQUANA LAKE, AK
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 758 total, 363 in this make and model, 672 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19930618052159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930618052159A), Jun 18, 1993: Cessna 180, Merrill Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit flying through a Pass. Landed in brush. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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