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Artic Aircraft Corp. INTERSTATE S1B1 accident at Talkeetna, AK, 14 May 1990 (N73AR)

Talkeetna, AK, US

On May 14, 1990, an Artic Aircraft Corp. INTERSTATE S1B1 (registration N73AR) was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FUEL CONTAMINATION WHICH PRECLUDED THE ENGINE FROM DEVELOPING THE NECESSARY POWER TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION WHICH PRECLUDED THE ENGINE FROM DEVELOPING THE NECESSARY POWER TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ADDED FULL POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB OVER A RIDGE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON UNIMPROVED TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE REVEALED BROWN FLAKES WHICH WERE EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE FLAKES OF GASOLINE VARNISH. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE HAD SAT WITHOUT OPERATING FOR A LONG TIME PRIOR TO HIS PURCHASE OF THE AIRPLANE.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 May 1990 Artic Aircraft Corp. INTERSTATE S1B1 accident near Talkeetna, AK?

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ADDED FULL POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB OVER A RIDGE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ON UNIMPROVED TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE REVEALED BROWN FLAKES WHICH WERE EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE FLAKES OF GASOLINE VARNISH. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE HAD SAT…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 May 1990 involved an Artic Aircraft Corp. INTERSTATE S1B1, registration N73AR, at Talkeetna, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FUEL CONTAMINATION WHICH PRECLUDED THE ENGINE FROM DEVELOPING THE NECESSARY POWER TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23044. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.