# NTSB ANC96LA005: Piper PA-18, N6550Z, Red Devil, AK, October 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1995, 17:30 local (Oct 18, 1995, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Red Devil, AK
- Coordinates: 61.939598, -157.62091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9396&lon=-157.6209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA005

## Probable cause

Loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.  The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

The certificated private pilot was flying in support of checking his trap lines and was in cruise flight about 800 feet above the ground. The engine suddenly quit, and the pilot selected a gravel bar on a river for an emergency landing area. He overshot the intended landing spot, and the airplane collided with water. The airplane was recovered from the river and disassembled for repair by the pilot. He did not report finding a cause for the loss of power.

## Factual narrative

On October 17, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18, N6550Z, crashed during a forced landing in a remote area, about 1 mile east of Red Devil, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight departed Red Devil about 1600.

On October 18, 1995, in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in- charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he was flying in support of checking his trap lines in the area.  The airplane contained 36 gallons of fuel at the time of departure.  While in cruise flight about 800 feet above the ground, the engine suddenly quit and the pilot selected a gravel bar on the Kuskokwim river for an emergency landing area.  The pilot overshot the intended landing spot and collided with the water.  The airplane was recovered from the river and disassembled for repair by the pilot.  He did not report finding a cause for the loss of power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6550Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6550Z-2009-03-05), registration cancelled 2009-03-05, S/N 18-7884, built 1962 (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: 18-7884
- Airframe hours: 4118
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel C. Herman
- Registered owner: Jason B. Herman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1995
- Departed: RDV, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °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 19951017032999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951017032999A), Oct 17, 1995: Piper PA18150, Red Devil, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power. Tried land on sandbar but overshot and landed in water. Recovered but unable find cause power loss.

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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