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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 21, 2025 · Piper PA-18-150 · N2447J

Wasilla, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 2025
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wasilla, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150 (1979)
Tail Number
N2447J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC25LA019

The pilot reported that, while performing touch-and-go landings, on final approach with the carburetor heat on, the airplane’s engine suddenly lost total power. After assessing that the airplane had insufficient altitude to glide to the runway, the pilot selected nearby hay flats as a forced landing site. During the forced landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane’s right wing impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. A postaccident examination of the engine, including the carburetor heat control, revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel was recovered from both wing fuel tanks and the fuselage sump drains. Although the atmospheric conditions in which the airplane was operating were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings, the pilot’s reported use of carburetor heat during the approach would have prevented the accumulation of carburetor ice. Based on this information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On February 20, 2025, about 1642 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N2447J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wasilla, Alaska. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed Tidewater Airport (77AK) about 1500 and flew the airplane to a different airport and completed about 15 practice landings. He then flew back to 77AK, where he landed then decided to depart again to practice touch-and-go landings. He stated that, during final approach to runway 01 with the carburetor heat on, the airplane’s engine suddenly lost total power when the airplane was about 400 to 450 ft above ground level. After assessing that the airplane had insufficient altitude to glide to the runway, the pilot selected nearby hay flats as a forced landing site. During the forced landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane’s right wing impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that, after the accident, he observed fuel leaking from the damaged right wing, so he positioned the fuel selector to the left tank to stop some of the fuel from leaking out. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The examination included disassembly of the carburetor heat control cable with no discrepancy noted. About 8 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left wing, about 14.5 gallons was recovered from the right wing, and about 2.5 gallons was recovered from the fuselage sump drains. The recorded temperature and dew point near the accident site were about 39°F and 19°F, respectively. A review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart located in the FAA’s Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, dated June 30, 2009, indicated that these conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings. The SAIB stated that, to prevent carburetor icing, the pilot should assure the proper functionality of the carburetor heat during the before takeoff check and use carburetor heat on approach and descent when operating at low power settings or in conditions where carburetor icing is probable.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:42 AKST
Nearest AirportTidewater Airport (1nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN2447J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Basc · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 F / 19 F
Altimeter29.30 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data