Plane Crash List

Piper PA-18 N226T

18 September 1992 · New Stuyahok, Alaska, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 18 September 1992 at about 02:30 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N226T, operated by David R. Shetler, was involved in an accident near New Stuyahok, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 02:30
Classification
Accident
Location
New Stuyahok, Alaska, United States
Coordinates
59.4910, -157.2905
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Registration
N226T
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
David R. Shetler
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Business
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Painter Creek → Nikiski, Kenai
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
IMC
Light
Dusk
NTSB number
ANC92LA174

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 0 1

Probable cause

FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION BY WATER AND POOR PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY FLOAT PLANE LANDING WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WITNESSES TOLD A STATE TROOPER THAT THE PILOT, AN ASSISTANT GUIDE, DEPARTED THE LODGE IN A HURRY AFTER RECEIVING A PHONE CALL FROM HIS WIFE. THESE WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY BELIEVED THE AIRCRAFT TO HAVE FUEL LIMITED TO HALF THE DISTANCE TO HIS DESIRED DESTINATION, NEAR HOMER, AK. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) REPORTED THE WEATHER AS LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITY. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED BY SEARCH AIRCRAFT THE FOLLOWING MORNING, APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES NORTH OF THE DIRECT TRACK TO THE INTENDED DESTINATION. THE PILOT TOLD A STATE TROOPER THAT HIS 'ENGINE QUIT ON ONE TANK, (AND HE) SWITCHED TANKS BUT IT DIDN'T CATCH.' (ENGINE DID NOT RESTART). THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN UNDER PILOT CONTROLLED FLIGHT. AN FAA INSPECTOR FOUND A MIXTURE OF FUEL, WATER AND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL STRAINER AND LINE TO THE CARBURETOR.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-18 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
21 Mar 1992 Piper PA-18
N83367
Shageluk, Alaska, United States Deacon, Nelson H. No injuries -
22 Apr 1992 Piper PA-18-150
N13910
St. Augustine, Florida, United States Michael L. King Fatal 1
20 Apr 1992 Piper PA-18-150
N7077D
Big Lake, Alaska, United States Kastner, Kenneth D. No injuries -
19 Jul 1992 Piper PA-18
N3292Z
Ft Walton Beach, Florida, United States Boomer Aviation, Inc. Minor injuries -
13 May 1992 Piper PA-18-150
N3841Z
Soccastee, South Carolina, United States Sky Signs, Inc. No injuries -
5 Aug 1992 Piper PA-18-150
N4037E
Littleton, Colorado, United States Banner Advertising Minor injuries -

All 2,950 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
13 Feb 1992 Piper PA-18A-150
N3877P
Anchorage, Alaska, United States John Clark Minor injuries -
12 Feb 1992 Richard C Ballow KITFOX 1
N5154U
Valdez, Alaska, United States Jones, William Marshall No injuries -
17 Feb 1992 Aeronca 7AC
N82380
Sitka, Alaska, United States Diment, Archie G. No injuries -
9 Oct 1992 Champion 7EC
N8958R
Chugiak, Alaska, United States - Fatal 1
14 Feb 1992 Cessna 180
N2788X
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States Sheldon, Robert J. Serious injuries -
19 Feb 1992 Cessna 185F
N4948Q
Pelican, Alaska, United States Bellair, Inc. Minor injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States