Amateur-built DHC-3 accident near Nikabuna Lake, Alaska, August 19, 1993
On August 19, 1993 at about 11:22 pm local time, a amateur-built DHC-3, registered N321KA, was destroyed in an accident near Nikabuna Lake, Alaska. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 3 people had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FLUID, FUEL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPERATOR'S INADEQUATE FLIGHT TIME AND FUEL UPLOAD RECORD KEEPING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 1993 · about 11:22 pm local time
- Place
- Nikabuna Lake, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DHC-3
- Registration
- N321KA · registry record · serial 415
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ON-DEMAND FISHING/HUNTING CHARTER AIR CARRIER PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND LANDED IN A SMALL LAKE. DURING THE GROUND RUN FOLLOWING THE EMERGENCY LANDING A OIL-FED FIRE DESTROYED THE ACFT. INVESTIGATORS FOUND INADEQUATE FLIGHT FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION, AND FUEL RECORDS OR MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR ACCIDENT ACFT OR OPERATION. PASSENGER WITNESSES REPORTED LOW FUEL GAUGES PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. FUEL PUMP EXAMINATION INDICATED FUEL STARVATION.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,500 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 7,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,200 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 9, 1993
- Maximum gross weight: 8,000 lb
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340-61 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Ketchum Air Service INC.
The flight
- Destination: LHD Anchorage AK
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,500 ft; scat
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 6:00 pm
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 | 2 |
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.