Piper PA-28-140 accident near Talkeetna, Alaska, February 4, 1991
On February 4, 1991 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N6152W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska (Talkeetna airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 4, 1991 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Talkeetna, Alaska · Talkeetna · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N6152W · registry record · serial 2820171
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED, WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO HIS HOME AIRPORT, HE COULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE LOCAL LANDMARKS. AFTER BEING ASSISTED BY FAA ATC, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA 600 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.
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
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 161 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 99 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,319 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 2, 2000; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CDV Cordova AK at 5:00 pm
- Destination: ANC Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: not reported
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 10°F (-12°C), dew point 1°F (-17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.