Cessna 180 N8241V

Summary

On 30 August 1996 at about 23:30 local time, a Cessna 180 registered N8241V, operated by Lake Clark Air Inc., was involved in an accident near Port Alsworth, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 August 1996 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Port Alsworth, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.2007, -154.2790

Aircraft

Cessna 180

Registration

N8241V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Lake Clark Air Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mulchatna River → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC96LA134

1 person was seriously injured.

The fuel starvation caused by the unporting of the right fuel tank, and the pilot's inadequate preflight by not dipping the fuel tank to ensure sufficient fuel quantity to prevent the unporting.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had landed at a field site to pick up two passengers. After the landing, he drained the fuel from the left fuel tank to store for future use. The operator stated this is their normal practice, and as a result, operate the airplanes with the fuel selector valve in the right fuel tank position. When the airplane was approximately 5 minutes from the destination, the engine stopped producing power. The airplane landed and nosed over. Subsequent examination showed that the right fuel tank contained 7.3 gallons of usable fuel and the left fuel tank contained 3.1 gallons of usable fuel. The engine was started and it operated normally. The passengers stated the pilot did not dip the fuel tank prior to departure and that the return flight was turbulent.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.