Accident Details
On July 3, 2015, about 1308 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, registration N9189D, sustained substantial damage during a collision with terrain following a loss of engine power during takeoff from Tidewater Airport near Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal visual flight rules flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that he was conducting test flights after having a rebuilt Lycoming O-320 engine installed and completing an annual inspection. During the first flight, he flew the airport traffic pattern once and landed uneventfully. On the second flight, the engine showed signs of possible water contamination in the fuel. He landed and sumped the fuel tanks, which showed no indication of water. With his mechanic, he performed an engine run-up, checking magneto drop and carburetor heat application; the engine ran smoothly.
During the third takeoff, as the airplane climbed to about 300 to 500 feet above ground level, the engine began sputtering and lost all power. The pilot switched fuel tanks but was unable to restart the engine. In the subsequent forced landing, the airplane went through trees and came to rest on its right side. The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage.
Post-Accident Examination
On June 21, 2015, NTSB investigators examined the airframe and engine. Control cable continuity was established from the cockpit to the engine for throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat. The engine was manually rotated with continuity confirmed throughout the drive train; thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. A lighted boroscope inspection of all four cylinders showed combustion chambers free of foreign object damage, detonation, and oil residue. The fuel strainer filter screen was free of visible contaminants. No anomalies, contamination, or evidence of malfunction were found in any engine accessories. Cylinders, pistons, valve train, crankshaft, and other internal components showed no evidence of anomaly or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit an NTSB accident report despite repeated requests.