NTSB Factual Report

On September 3, 2004, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N9796P, was destroyed by fire following an in-flight fire and forced landing, about 25 miles northeast of Cantwell, Alaska. The solo private pilot/operator received minor injuries. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight departed the pilot's private airstrip about 1840, and was en route to another local, private airstrip.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on September 8, the pilot related he was in cruise flight, and had been airborne about 20 minutes, when he smelled smoke, and then saw smoke coming up through the floorboards near his seat. He said he was very familiar with the geographic area he was flying over, and attempted to land at a nearby remote gravel airstrip. He indicated that the smoke became too thick to see through, and he opened the side window, which helped his visibility, but the additional air flow intensified the fire. He was unable to reach the airstrip, and made an emergency landing in brush. The airplane remained upright, and he was able to exit the airplane with his two dogs before the airplane's fuselage was consumed by fire. The pilot said he landed the airplane about 200 yards short of the intended airstrip. Personnel from a hunting guide's camp near the airstrip assisted the pilot in extinguishing the fire. The pilot stated that he wasn't certain what started the fire, but believes it may have initiated in the battery compartment.

Due to the remote location of the accident, neither NTSB or FAA personnel traveled to the accident site, or were able to examine the wreckage. The pilot did not complete the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, Form 6120.1, as requested.

NTSB Probable Cause

An in-flight fire for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an off-airport forced landing and subsequent destruction of the airplane by fire.