Interstate S-1B1 accident near Anchorage, Alaska, March 4, 1999
On March 4, 1999 at about 6:53 pm local time, a Interstate S-1B1, registered N48027, was substantially damaged in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska (Merrill Field). 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
Fuel starvation resulting from the pilot not understanding the fuel system procedures, and selecting the improper fuel selector position.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 4, 1999 · about 6:53 pm local time
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska · Merrill Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Interstate S-1B1 · all S-1B1s on the register
- Registration
- N48027 · registry record · serial 11
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While approaching the airport, the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot applied carburetor heat with no response. He intentionally ensured the fuel valve was selected to the 'left main' position, because he knew there was about five gallons of fuel in that tank. The right tank was empty. The fuel system in the left tank has two outlet standpipes. The 'left main' loses suction with about five gallons remaining. The 'reserve' standpipe allows these remaining five gallons to flow out of the tank when 'reserve' is selected on the fuel valve. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) he did not understand the plumbing for the fuel system. The pilot performed a forced landing at an off airport site. The NTSB IIC confirmed that there was fuel in the left tank, and only a trace of fuel in the right tank.
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: 2,425 hours in all; 205 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 2,425 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,153 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 27, 1998; 158 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MRI at 5:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 25°F (-4°C), dew point 5°F (-15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from MRI, 1 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N48027 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.