# NTSB ANC94LA111: Piper PA-18-150, N4341Z, Deadhorse, AK, July 26, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1994, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Deadhorse, AK
- Coordinates: 70.429313, -149.290206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4293&lon=-149.2902&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 February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA111

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING THE FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAME SPOTTING.  THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ABOUT 3/4THS DOWN A 800 FOOT LONG UNIMPROVED STRIP AND ELECTED TO GO-AROUND. DURING THE GO-AROUND, THE PLANE'S ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER, AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ON A ROCK STREWN SURFACE.  A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE PLANE'S ENGINE BY THE PILOT/OPERATOR DID NOT REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER.

## Factual narrative

On July 26, 1994, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA18-150 airplane, N4341Z, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with terrain near the Hula Hula River, approximately 120 miles east of Deadhorse, Alaska.  The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Deadhorse at approximately 0900 for the purpose of game spotting in the vicinity of the accident site.  The pilot reported that calm winds and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and that no flight plan was in effect.

During a telephone conversation on the afternoon of July 27, 1994, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he landed the airplane about 3/4ths of the way down a 800ft. X 60ft. unimproved landing strip and he elected to go around.  Just after lift off, the engine began missing and he was forced to land the plane on a rocky surface about 900 feet beyond the landing strip.

A subsequent inspection of the airplane by the pilot/operator did not reveal the cause of the partial loss of power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4341Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4341Z), registered now, S/N 18-8659, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Canvas Back Leasing
- Registered owner: Canvas Back Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1994, 37 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,400 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °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 19940726027189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940726027189A), Jul 26, 1994: Piper PA18150, Deadhorse, AK, Substantial damage. Landed long. Elected to go around. Reported powerloss. Landed rocky terrain. Unable determine cause of problem.

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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