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Aircraft Crashes Shortly After Departure Near Runway 18 (N4257T)

Bethel, AK, US

On June 9, 1990, a Piper PA-32 (registration N4257T) was involved in an aviation accident near Bethel, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING AN ENGINE POWER LOSS. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO AN IMPROPER FUEL SELECTOR POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft declared an emergency immediately after departure, turned right, and crashed southeast of Runway 18. On-site investigation noted the fuel selector may have been off or on the left tip tank.

Incident Summary

Shortly after departing from an airport, the pilot of an aircraft declared an emergency. Witnesses observed the aircraft turning to the right, back toward the airport, while losing altitude. The aircraft subsequently crashed approximately one-quarter mile southeast of the departure end of Runway 18.

Investigation Findings

On-scene examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel selector was in a position that appeared to be either off or on the left tip tank. Further inspection indicated that there was still movement in the selector toward the left position, suggesting it may have been set to the left tip tank at the time of the accident. No other details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or pilot status were provided in the initial investigation report.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-32 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Jun 1990 Piper PA-32 accident near Bethel, AK?

An aircraft declared an emergency immediately after departure, turned right, and crashed southeast of Runway 18. On-site investigation noted the fuel selector may have been off or on the left tip tank.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Jun 1990 involved a Piper PA-32, registration N4257T, at Bethel, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING AN ENGINE POWER LOSS. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO AN IMPROPER FUEL SELECTOR POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TURN AND ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23293. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.