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
