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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

July 21, 1995 · Piper PA-12 · N7755H

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N7755H
Operator
John F Strong
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA111

THE PILOT DEPARTED FROM THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AFTER A SUCCESSFUL ENGINE RUN-UP. DURING THE CLIMB, AT ABOUT 700 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING BUT MISJUDGED HIS APPROACH AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AS HE OVERSHOT THE FAR END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE AIRPLANE'S FIRST FLIGHT AFTER THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REBUILT. A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. ACCORDING FAA CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, THE PREVAILING WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT COULD PRODUCE 'SERIOUS' CARBURETOR ICING AT CRUISE POWER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS OF POWER, WITH NO EFFECT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH LED TO CARBURETOR ICING AND A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT ARE PREVAILING CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY JUDGE THE AIRPLANE'S DISTANCE AND SPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

On July 21, 1995, about 1555 Alaska daylight time, N7755H, a Piper PA-12, collided with terrain during a forced landing in Anchorage and was substantially damaged. The forced landing was precipitated by a partial loss of engine power while the airplane was maneuvering. The private pilot received minor injuries and the sole passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that the accident flight was the first flight since the engine was rebuilt. After a preflight inspection and successful engine run-up, the airplane departed from a private airstrip and maneuvered about 700 feet above the airstrip. The pilot reported that the "engine lost power," but did not stop. The pilot immediately descended and maneuvered to approach the airstrip and land to the north. He overshot the landing strip and purposely stalled the airplane in an effort to avoid colliding with obstructions. The airplane impacted terrain about 200 feet beyond the end of the runway and was substantially damaged. An examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal evidence of any mechanical deficiencies. The reported temperature and dew point near the time and place of the accident were 59 degrees F and 57 degrees F respectively. According to the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart published by the FAA (attached), the prevailing weather conditions could produce "serious icing at cruise power" in light aircraft piston engines. The pilot stated that he had applied full carburetor heat immediately upon sensing the power loss, with no effect noted. He said the airplane could not maintain altitude, but the engine continued to run.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:55 AKDT
Nearest AirportO'Mally Sky Harbor (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN7755H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn F Strong
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data