# NTSB ANC99LA138: Piper PA-18, N1886P, Iliamna, AK, September 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 1999, 16:30 local (Sep 13, 1999, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.849521, -154.559249 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8495&lon=-154.5592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47400 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47400/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA138 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A factor in the accident was unsuitable 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot landed to drop off a passenger at a remote hunting camp. He placed about 12 gallons of fuel in the left wing fuel tank. The pilot then departed downhill from an area about 800 feet long. The airplane fuel selector was on 'BOTH.' As the airplane became airborne, and climbed to about 15 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected the left fuel tank, and the engine began to gain power, but the airplane collided with trees and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the left wing lift strut, the engine mount and firewall, and both wings. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 1999, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1886P, sustained substantial damage while taking off from a remote area, about 65 miles west of Iliamna, Alaska, at latitude 59 degrees, 59.46 minutes north, and longitude 156 degrees, 57.38 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Allgood Flying Service, Chugiak, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), traveled to the accident scene and interviewed the pilot. The inspector said the pilot landed to drop off a passenger at a hunting camp, and placed about 12 gallons of fuel in the left wing fuel tank. The pilot intended to depart and return to Iliamna. The pilot departed downhill from an area about 800 feet long. The airplane fuel selector was on "BOTH." As the airplane became airborne, and climbed to about 15 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected the left fuel tank, and the engine began to gain power, but the airplane collided with trees and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the left wing lift strut, the engine mount and firewall, and both wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1886P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1886P), registered now, S/N 18-4169, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4169 - Airframe hours: 8919 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Allgood Flying Service - Registered owner: Allen K. Alligood - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1999, 1,298 hours before - Destination: PAIL, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,695 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 6,495 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19990912025309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990912025309A), Sep 12, 1999: Piper PA18A150, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 12, 1999, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1886P, sustained substantial damage while taking… ## Other investigations on N1886P (2) 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 ANC13CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA055), Jun 12, 2013: Piper PA-18A 150 (N1886P), Juneau, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not maintain directional control while attempting to recover from a bounced landing. - [NTSB ANC81DAG20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG20), Jan 25, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N1886P), Copper Center, AK, substantial damage 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.