Piper PA-18 accident near Nenana, Alaska, September 24, 2003
On September 24, 2003 at about 3:30 am local time, a Piper PA-18, registered N330T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Nenana, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 24, 2003 · about 3:30 am local time
- Place
- Nenana, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18 · all PA-18s on the register
- Registration
- N330T · registry record · serial 18-2444
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Flight time: 1,950 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,920 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 15, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 18, 2002; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-02 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Lake Minchumina AK at 9:30 pm
- Destination: FAI Fairbanks AK
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 055° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 19°F (-7°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.