Event ANC98LA055

Factual narrative

On May 24, 1998, about 0024 Alaska daylight time, a Douglas DC-3C cargo airplane, N67588, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, about 5 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as an instrument (IFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Majestic Air Cargo, Anchorage, Alaska. The captain/operator received minor injuries. The first officer, and the one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An IFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Unalakleet Airport, Unalakleet, Alaska, about 2030 on May 23, 1998. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on May 24, 1998, at 0915, the pilot reported that prior to departure from Unalakleet, he measured the fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks. The total amount of fuel was 300 gallons. After arriving in the Anchorage area, the flight was cleared for a visual approach to runway 14. During the approach, both engines quit running about 2,000 feet mean sea level. The pilot said the right fuel tank was empty. He estimated that 50 to 60 gallons of fuel remained in the left fuel tank. The pilot attempted to restart the engines without success. The airplane was descending toward open water of the Cook Inlet. The pilot lowered the landing gear, and made a right turn toward a small airstrip, located at Point McKenzie, about 5 miles northwest of Anchorage. The pilot touched down in an area of soft, marsh covered, terrain. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed down and received damage to the forward, lower portion of the fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), inspected the airplane on May 27, 1998. He reported the right fuel tank was empty. The left fuel tank contained about 1 inch of fuel. The right fuel selector was positioned on the right auxiliary fuel tank. The left fuel selector was positioned between the left main, and the left auxiliary fuel tanks. The captain/operator, the first officer and one passenger, departed on a cross-country positioning flight. The airplane contained about 300 gallons of fuel. After 3.9 hours en route, the flight was cleared for a visual approach to the destination airport. During the approach, both engines lost power about 2,000 feet mean sea level. The pilot stated the right fuel tank was empty. He estimated that 50 to 60 gallons of fuel remained in the left fuel tank. While the airplane was descending toward an area of open water, he attempted to restart the engines without success. He then lowered the landing gear, and made a right turn toward a small airstrip, located about 5 miles northwest of the destination airport. The airplane touched down in an area of soft, marsh covered, terrain. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed down and received damage to the forward, lower portion of the fuselage. An inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the left fuel tank contained about 1 inch of fuel. The right fuel selector was positioned on the right auxiliary fuel tank. The left fuel selector was positioned between the left main, and the left auxiliary fuel tanks. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12