Event ANC96LA145

Factual narrative

On September 3, 1996, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Taylorcraft F21B airplane, N4417P, registered to and operated by the pilot, lost engine power during maneuvering flight. The pilot had to execute a forced landing to a road. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Anchorage, Alaska, and the destination was Carty's Airstrip located in Nikiski, Alaska. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on September 11, 1996, he stated that he was low on fuel upon arriving in the Nikiski area. He made a long slow circle around his cabin and when he rolled wings level the engine stopped producing power. He selected a road on which to land and during the descent the airplane's landing gear struck some power lines. The power lines broke and the airplane landed on the road. During the landing roll, the airplane veered off the road and nosed over. The pilot stated the power line was wrapped around the landing gear and was dragging along the ground. The pilot said he drained the fuel tanks after landing and found only 2 to 3 gallons of fuel on board. According to the pilot, he flew the airplane in a long, slow, turn around his cabin. When he rolled the wings level, the engine stopped producing power. While descending for a forced landing on a road, the airplane's main landing gear struck a power line. The power line broke, but remained attached to the landing gear. During touchdown on the road, the airplane veered off the road and nosed over. The pilot said that during the landing, the power line was dragging behind the airplane. Also, he stated that after the accident, he drained the fuel tanks and found only 2 to 3 gallons of fuel on board. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12