# NTSB ANC98LA005: Piper PA-20, N7049K, Naknek, AK, October 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 1997, 18:00 local (Oct 21, 1997, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Naknek, AK - Coordinates: 58.800037, -156.900161 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8000&lon=-156.9002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3103/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA005 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was 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(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Main gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - tundra - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot departed on a local flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 1/4 tank of fuel visible in the left fuel tank sight gauge. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. The right tank contained a small amount of fuel. While in cruise flight, the engine suddenly quit, and the pilot switched to the right fuel tank. The engine started, and ran for another 3 minutes, but quit running a second time. The pilot selected an open area of tundra and performed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane's right main landing gear was broken from the fuselage. The pilot later reported that he departed with 18 gallons of fuel. The pilot said he encountered unexpected head winds, and switched fuel tanks to his reserve tank. The engine ran a few minutes, and then quit. The pilot reported an inspection of the airplane revealed a restriction in the fuel gauge, producing a false reading. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 1997, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-20, N7049K, crashed during a forced landing about 15 miles south of Naknek, 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, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Naknek Airport, Naknek, Alaska, about 1600. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 22, 1997, at 0920, the pilot reported he was flying about 600 to 700 feet above the ground. The pilot indicated he departed on the accident flight with 1/4 tank of fuel visible in the left fuel tank sight gauge. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. The right tank contained a small amount of fuel. While in cruise flight, the engine suddenly quit, and the pilot switched to the right fuel tank. The engine started, and ran for another 3 minutes, but quit running a second time. The pilot selected an open area of tundra, and performed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane's right main landing gear was broken from the fuselage. The airplane received additional damage to the engine, propeller, the right wing lift struts, and the right wing aileron. In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he indicated the flight departed with 18 gallons of fuel. The pilot encountered unexpected head winds, and switched fuel tanks to his reserve tank. The engine ran a few minutes, and then quit. The pilot reported an inspection of the airplane revealed a restriction in the fuel gauge, producing a false reading. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7049K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7049K), registered now, S/N 20-157 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-157 - Airframe hours: 4098 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joel B. Benedict - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1997, 80 hours before - Departed: 5NK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,850 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °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 19971020030829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971020030829A), Oct 20, 1997: Piper PA20, Naknek, AK, Substantial damage. (.19)Departed mininum fuel. Engine quit crash landed on tundra. (.4)the pilot departed on a local flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 1/4 tank o ## Other investigations on N7049K (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 ANC91LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA005), Oct 12, 1990: Piper PA-20 (N7049K), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADVERTANT STALL DURING AN ABORTED LANDING. 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.