Piper PA-12 N3624M

Summary

On 30 December 2003 at about 18:15 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3624M was involved in an accident near Togiak, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

30 December 2003 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Togiak, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

59.2106, -160.5394

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3624M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Togiak → Togiak

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC04LA017

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason that resulted in a forced landing, a collapse of the main landing gear, and a collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was 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 certificated commercial pilot reported that while in cruise flight over tree-covered terrain, he noted a rough running engine and a slight reduction in engine rpm. Engine emergency procedures did not remedy the engine roughness, which was followed by a rapid loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of altitude. The pilot selected a snow and tree-covered area as a forced landing site. During touch down on the soft, snow-covered terrain, the right main landing gear collapsed, the airplane pivoted to the left, and the left wing struck a stand of trees. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and fuselage. A postaccident inspection of the airplane did not reveal a reason for the loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.