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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 10, 1995 · Piper J3 · N88415

Skwentna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Skwentna, AK
Aircraft
Piper J3
Tail Number
N88415
Operator
Dean Heimermann
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA037

DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY FERRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE'S WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO GET SPATTERED WITH OIL AND THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE BEGAN TO DECREASE. THE PILOT SELECTED A FORCED LANDING AREA ON A REMOTE FROZEN LAKE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE, PRODUCING DAMAGE TO THE WING AND FUSELAGE. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE BREATHER TUBE WAS FROZEN OVER. DUE THE REMOTE NATURE OF THE AREA, THE PILOT REPLACED THE ENGINE OIL AND DEPARTED THE LAKE. THE AIRPLANE WAS FLOWN TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE AIRSTRIP AND SECURED. DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED TO THE NTSB 12 DAYS LATER.

NTSB Probable Cause

A FROZEN ENGINE BREATHER TUBE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF OIL AND ENGINE POWER.

Full Narrative

On March 10, 1995, about 1700 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper J3, N88415, collided with a tree during a forced landing, about 65 miles northwest of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country ferry flight to deliver the airplane to Aniak, Alaska, via McGrath, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. After refueling the airplane, the flight originated at Big Lake Airport, Big Lake, Alaska, about 1300 after an initial departure from Birchwood, Alaska. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight after transiting through Rainy Pass, the windshield began to get spattered with oil. The engine began losing oil pressure and the pilot selected a forced landing area on a remote frozen lake. During the landing roll, the airplane's right wing struck a tree, resulting in damage to the right wing spar and rear fuselage longeron. The pilot indicated that he found the engine breather tube frozen. Due to the remote nature of the area, the pilot replaced the engine oil and departed. The airplane was flown to Farewell Lake, Alaska, and secured. The damage to the airplane was reported on March 22, 1995.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3
Tail NumberN88415
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDean Heimermann
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data