Accident Details
On June 24, 2008, about 0945 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, registration N3236P, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The incident occurred about 1.5 miles west of the Iliamna Airport, Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.
Pilot Report
The private certificated pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Tularik Creek, about 20 miles west of Iliamna, about 0915, and no flight plan was filed.
In a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 25, the pilot reported that he departed Tularik Creek and flew eastbound toward Iliamna. He had about 6 gallons in the left wing fuel tank, and the right wing fuel tank was nearly empty. As the flight approached Iliamna, the engine began to sputter and lose power. He switched to the right tank, but it ran for only a few seconds, and the engine sputtered. He switched back to the left fuel tank, but the engine continued to sputter, and the airplane lost altitude. He selected a road as a forced landing spot but was unable to reach it. The airplane collided with a tree and tundra, about 1.5 miles short of runway 07 at Iliamna. After the collision, the engine was still running, and he shut it down.
Damage and Recovery
The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot indicated that after the accident, the left fuel tank sight gauge still showed about 4 gallons. Recovery personnel reported that they drained about 5 gallons from the left tank during retrieval of the airplane. The airplane and engine were not examined by NTSB or FAA personnel.
Weather Conditions
At 0953, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at Iliamna reported: Wind 090 degrees true at 18 knots, gusts to 24 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clouds few at 7,500 feet, scattered at 11,000 feet; temperature 50°F; dew point 39°F; altimeter 29.81 inHg.