Piper PA 18-150 accident near Nikiski, Alaska, November 27, 2014
On November 27, 2014 at about 8:17 pm local time, a 1975 Piper PA 18-150, registered N9720P, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Nikiski, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat while operating at low-power settings in an area conducive to carburetor icing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 27, 2014 · about 8:17 pm local time
- Place
- Nikiski, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 18-150, built 1975 · all PA 18-150s on the register
- Registration
- N9720P · registry record · serial 18-7509137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he had flown the airplane for about 20 to 30 minutes to survey the area for possible landing sites. After choosing a landing site, the pilot completed the prelanding checklist, cycled the carburetor heat on, and then placed it in the "off" position. When the airplane was established on short final for landing, the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching fuel tanks and applying carburetor heat, but engine power was not restored. The airplane subsequently collided with rising terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation. Another company pilot, who had landed his airplane at the same location only minutes before the accident airplane approached, stated that carburetor ice accumulated during the descent. Further, the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings. Therefore, it is likely that, as the pilot reduced engine power, carburetor ice formed, which caused the engine to lose 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
What happened, in order
- Fuel related during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Ice/rain protection system › Intake anti › ice, deice › Not used/operated
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,600 hours in all; 3,500 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 9, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,484 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 4, 2014; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 SERIES (piston); 7,564 hours total
- Operator: Alaska West Air, INC
The flight
- Departed from: ENA Kenai AK
- Destination: Nikiski AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 10°F (-12°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from PAEN, 31 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.