Piper PA-20 N1486A

Summary

On 3 November 2003 at about 01:00 local time, a Piper PA-20 registered N1486A was involved in an accident near Bethel, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 November 2003 at 01:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Bethel, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.7667, -161.8333

Aircraft

Piper PA-20

Registration

N1486A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Aniak → Aniak

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC04LA005

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power, and subsequent forced landing. Factors associated with the accident were weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was flying over mountainous terrain when he noted a rough running engine and a slight reduction in engine rpm. He applied full carburetor heat, which was followed by a rapid loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of altitude. Unable to restore adequate engine power to maintain level flight, the pilot selected an uphill portion of a mountainside as a forced landing site. During touchdown on the soft, tundra-covered terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot said that weather conditions at the time of the accident were, in part: Visibility, 10 statute miles in light rain and mist; clouds and sky condition, 3,000 feet overcast; temperature, 40 degrees F. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that the loss of engine power was due to carburetor icing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.