# NTSB SEA86LA142: Smith Miniplane 1, N8W, Petersburg, AK, June 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1986, 19:30 local (Jun 11, 1986, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, AK
- Coordinates: 57.049247, -132.619766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.0492&lon=-132.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system - water
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DERARTING THE ARPT AND FLYING ABOUT 75 FT AGL, THE PLT ADDED POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB. THERE WAS A POWER HESITATION AND THE ACFT DID NOT CLEAR TREES IN IT'S PATH. THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THAT THERE HAD BEEN WATER IN THE FUEL AND THE ACFT HAD BEEN STORED WITHOUT THE FUEL TANKS BEING TOPPED OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8W-1992-02-20), registration cancelled 1992-02-20, S/N WK1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MINIPLANE 1 (MINIPLANE)
- Registry model: [Miniplane DSA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/miniplane-dsa-1) (registry code 83501GL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: LYCOMING UNK 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Weaver
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PSG, PETERSBURG, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 505 total, 49 in this make and model, 503 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °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 19860610025289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860610025289A), Jun 10, 1986: Amtrsm DSA1, Petersburg, AK, Substantial damage. During pull up from low level flight, engine temporarily lost power. Aircraft struck the trees. Water in fuel.

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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