Piper PA-18-150 N7050

Summary

On 26 June 2001 at about 03:18 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N7050 was involved in an accident near King Salmon, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 June 2001 at 03:18

Classification

Accident

Location

King Salmon, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.0000, -156.7156

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N7050

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Koliganek → Iliamna

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC01GA075

1 person died.

The pilot's selection of the incorrect fuel tank, subsequent fuel starvation, and inadvertent stall during initial climb. Factors associated with the accident were inadequate transition training, and insufficient training standards of the operator/management.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A certificated commercial pilot, an Alaska State Trooper, departed from a remote lake in a float-equipped airplane, as the second airplane in a flight of two airplanes. When the accident airplane failed to arrive at the intended destination, the first pilot initiated an aerial search. The airplane wreckage was discovered about a quarter-mile southeast of the departure lake. The first pilot recalled having a conversation with the accident pilot concerning the use of the Cub Crafters main fuel valve installed in the accident airplane. He said that the accident pilot commented that he was not flying the airplane normally assigned to him, which had the original Piper main fuel tank selector valve installed. The accident pilot told the first pilot that he was unsure if the accident airplane's fuel selector valve should be operated in the BOTH position or the LEFT or RIGHT positions. The FAA approved Cub Crafters STC requires the addition of a placard, placed just above the main fuel valve, which states: "TAKE OFF AND LANDING ON BOTH ONLY." The accident airplane had the placard installed. During an on-scene inspection of the airplane wreckage, the fuel selector valve was found selected to the LEFT fuel tank setting, and the left fuel tank was empty. A review of the State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety's "aircraft manual," which outlines general operating policies and standards, disclosed that there were no provisions for differences training for the Cub Crafters fuel system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.