Monday, March 23, 2020

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Piper PA-18-150, N624MW; accident occurred June 02, 2018 near Lawrence Airstrip (55AK), Wasilla, Alaska




The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.


Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 


http://registry.faa.gov/N624MW


Location: Wasilla, AK
Accident Number: ANC18LA040
Date & Time: 06/02/2018, 1025 AKD
Registration: N624MW
Aircraft: PIPER PA 18-150
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On June 2, 2018, about 1025 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N624MW, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power near Lawrence Airstrip (55AK), Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 visual flight rules flight when the accident occurred. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed 55AK about 1023 destined for Big Lake, Alaska.

According to the pilot, shortly after departure from 55AK, all engine power was lost. There were no sights or sounds consistent with a catastrophic engine failure and the engine ceased operation consistent with fuel starvation. The pilot reported the left fuel tank was about ½ full, the right fuel tank was empty, and the fuel selector was on "BOTH.".

During the forced landing, the pilot attempted to return to the runway, but impacted a forested area of tall spruce and birch trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and rudder.

On July 11, 2018 the engine, a Lycoming O-320-A2B, was examined at Alaska Claims Services under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) and another NTSB investigator. Prior to removing the engine from the airframe, the gascolator was drained and small amounts of unidentified contaminants were found. The carburetor bowl was then drained with more minute contaminants present.

The engine was then removed from the airframe and transported to Alaska Aircraft Engines, Anchorage, Alaska where it was attached to an engine test truck on July 17. A four bladed wooden club propeller was installed for the test run. The engine started within 3 seconds and was warmed at idle power for 5 minutes. The engine RPM was set at idle and maximum power for 5 minutes each followed by rapid manipulations from idle to maximum continuous power. No hesitations or anomalies were observed throughout the engine run.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/01/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/28/2018
Flight Time:  4643 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4603 hours (Total, this make and model), 51 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N624MW
Model/Series: PA 18-150 150
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18-8739
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/01/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 25 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4800 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C126 installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES
Registered Owner: WILLIAM SCOTT BARRY
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAWS, 354 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1756 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 44°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: WASILLA, AK (55AK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: BIG LAKE, AK (BGQ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1023 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: LAWRENCE AIRSTRIP (55AK)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 200 ft
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion:None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 61.493333, -149.703056

Loss of Control in Flight: Just JA30 SuperSTOL, N914MS; accident occurred March 21, 2020 at Pierce County Airport (KPLU), Puyallup, Washington




Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines, Washington

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Puyallup, Washington
Accident Number: WPR20CA113
Date & Time: March 21, 2020, 12:18 Local
Registration: N914MS
Aircraft: Just JA30 SUPERSTOL 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, just before touchdown, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left, which caused the airplane to weathervane to the right and the left wing to rise. The pilot applied left aileron control and full power but was unable to maintain control. The right wingtip impacted the ground, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in the wing striking the ground.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Other weather encounter
Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-flare/touchdown Landing gear collapse
Landing-flare/touchdown Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport pilot None 
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: June 11, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 339.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 171 hours (Total, this make and model), 208.6 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 17.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5.1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Just
Registration: N914MS
Model/Series: JA30 SUPERSTOL Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: JA370-04-14
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 100 hour 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 115.6 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed 
Engine Model/Series: 914 UL
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 115 Horsepower
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPLU,539 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 6°
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1600 ft AGL 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.27 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Puyallup, WA (PLU) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Puyallup, WA (PLU)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Pierce County - Thun Field PLU 
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 537 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35 IFR 
Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3651 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Stop and go

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 47.098609,-122.28778(est)