# NTSB ANC95LA027: Piper PA-18, N9264D, Wasilla, AK, January 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 8, 1995, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.51926, -149.569351 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5193&lon=-149.5694&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 June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2624/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA027 ## Probable cause A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE A FROZEN GASCOLATOR, AND RESTRICTED FUEL SUPPLY. ## Analysis AFTER DRAINING THE MAIN WING FUEL TANKS FROM AN AIRPLANE THAT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT DEPARTED FROM AN AIRSTRIP ON A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO IDLE AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES, SHEARING OFF THE WINGS. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE GASCOLATOR WAS FROZEN. THE PILOT LAST OBTAINED A STUDENT PILOT/MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IN 1981; HOWEVER, HE REPORTED HAVING ACCRUED 1,860 FLIGHT HOURS. ## Factual narrative On January 8, 1995, about 1030 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9264D, registered to and operated by the pilot, experienced a nonmechanical, partial power failure and crashed into trees just after takeoff from Anderson Lake Airstrip located in Wasilla, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Anderson Lake for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The noncertificated Pilot, the sole occupant was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot, he had a student pilot certificate but had not flown in some time. He decided to fly because the weather was clear. He drained his fuel tank sumps and after the engine warmed up he made his takeoff. During the initial climb the engine power reduced to idle without any reduction in the throttle. He was forced to land in the trees and the wings were sheared from the aircraft. According to George Chapman of Mat-Su Air Service, Wasilla, he examined the airplane and was not able to drain any fuel from the gascolator drain. He stated that it was frozen closed. He also indicated that the airplane had not been flown for about 4 months. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman and medical records indicated that the pilot had obtained a student pilot/third class medical certificate on July 31, 1981. No further record of a current pilot and/or medical certificate was found. In the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, he indicated that he had accrued 1,860 flight hours. According to 14 CFR Part 61.87 (m), "No student pilot may operate an aircraft in solo flight unless that student's pilot certificate and logbook have been endorsed for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown by an authorized flight instructor certificated under this part, and the student's logbook has been endorsed, within the 90 days prior to the student operating in solo flight...." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,gascolator - frozen (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - restricted (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9264D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9264D), registered now, S/N 18-6562, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - 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 - Serial number: 18-6562 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hardwick, Merlin T. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,860 total, 1,860 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 5 °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 19950108000199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950108000199A), Jan 8, 1995: Piper PA18150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in trees. Aircraft idle four months. Fuel drains froze shut. No current medical. ## Other investigations on N9264D (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC81DAG23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG23), Feb 3, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N9264D), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X0399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0399), Jan 29, 1964: Piper PA18 (N9264D), Anchorage, AK, no damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.