# NTSB ANC96LA060: Piper PA-18, N1930A, Kasilof, AK, April 28, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 1996, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Kasilof, AK - Coordinates: 60.279613, -151.26033 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2796&lon=-151.2603&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 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2831/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA060 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to a kinked fuel supply line from the left main tank, and the pilot's improper rebuild/remanufacture of the airplane. A smaller than standard fuel line from the fuel strainer to the carburetor, a smaller than standard fuel cap vent, and a lack of mechanic certification were factors in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,line - bent (cause) - fuel system,line - restricted (contributing factor) - fuel system,vent - restricted (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - maintenance,rebuild/remanufacture - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was departing a private 2,000 feet long grass airstrip. Before departure, the pilot selected the left fuel tank. During the initial climb, the engine suddenly quit about 100 feet in the air. The pilot selected an emergency landing area, and the airplane collided with several trees during the landing. The pilot indicated that the remanufactured engine that he installed had accured 25 hours. The airplane had been rebuilt by the pilot, who was not a certificated airframe or powerplant mechanic. The pilot did not possess any airworthiness documentation for the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a kink in the fuel line from the left fuel tank. The fuel line from the fuel strainer to the carburetor was 1/4 inch in diameter. The standard size was 3/8 inch. The fuel caps on each tank were required to have a 3/8 inch vent line. The installed caps had a 1/4 inch vent. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 1996, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18, N1930A, collided with trees during a forced landing, about 5 miles northwest of Kasilof, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he departed a private 2,000 feet long grass airstrip known as Doyle's strip. Prior to departure, the pilot selected the left fuel tank. During the initial climb, the engine suddenly quit about 100 feet in the air. The pilot selected an emergency landing area and collided with several trees during the landing. The airplane received damage to the wings, fuselage, and propeller. The pilot indicated that the remanufactured engine that he installed had accrued 25 hours. The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Anchorage, Alaska, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). The inspector reported that the airplane had been rebuilt by the pilot who is not a certificated airframe or powerplant mechanic. The pilot did not posses any airworthiness documentation for the airplane. The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a kink in the fuel line from the left fuel tank. The fuel line from the fuel strainer to the carburetor was 1/4 inch in diameter. The standard size is 3/8 inch. The fuel caps on each tank are required to have a 3/8 inch vent line. The installed caps had a 1/4 inch vent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1930A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1930A), registered now, S/N 18-1768 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1768 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul G. Isaak - Registered owner: Fred Moody - Destination: SOLDOTNA, AK - Airport: Doyle'S Strip, runway 27, 3,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 12,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 9 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ENA, 10 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 19960428008899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960428008899A), Apr 28, 1996: Piper PA18, Kasilof, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climb to cruise. Hit trees landing. Kink in fuel line. 75HR engine rebuilt by non mechanic pilot. ## Other investigations on N1930A (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 ANC92LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA024), Jan 2, 1992: Piper PA-18 (N1930A), Nome, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE ALTITUDE. 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. --- 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.