Piper PA-18 N330T

Summary

On 24 September 2003 at about 03:30 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N330T, operated by Ray Wildrick Jr., was involved in an accident near Nenana, 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.

Date

24 September 2003 at 03:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Nenana, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

64.4633, -149.6900

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N330T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Ray Wildrick Jr.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lake Minchumina → Fairbanks

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC03LA123

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing and an in-flight collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported the airplane was in cruise flight when he intentionally let the left fuel tank run dry, and the engine lost power. He said he allowed the tank to run until empty because he was attempting to determine the airplane's fuel endurance. After the engine stopped, he switched to the full right tank and restarted the engine. The engine ran without mishap for approximately 10 minutes, and then began to lose power. The pilot said he was unable to completely restore power, and ultimately the engine lost all power. He made a forced landing in trees, and the airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane has not been recovered from the accident site due to its remote location. The pilot, who is also a certificated aviation mechanic, indicated he did not know why the engine lost power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.