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February 28, 2025 · Piper PA-18-150 · N3798Z

Anchor Point, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 28, 2025
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Anchor Point, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150 (1960)
Tail Number
N3798Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC25LA022

The pilot reported that when he increased the engine throttle during cruise flight, the engine rpm lagged, and he heard the engine “stutter.” He applied full carburetor heat, and the engine rpm dropped over 600 rpm, and it sounded like it was going to quit. He closed off the carburetor heat immediately and began to circle an airport in case of an engine failure. The pilot began to slowly add carburetor heat in small increments to melt the ice from the carburetor. After about five minutes of slowly adding carburetor heat, he determined that the carburetor ice had all melted off and the engine was operating normally. After determining the engine was running properly, he continued towards his destination. He periodically applied full carburetor heat for 30 to 60 seconds at a time. About two miles from his destination the pilot applied carburetor heat, and the engine began to again “stutter.” The pilot again slowly increased the carburetor heat to gradually melt the ice buildup in the carburetor. The engine continued “sputtering” and running very rough and then lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine twice to no avail. The pilot trimmed the airplane for the best rate of glide and began looking for a place for an emergency landing. The pilot made a forced landing to a short narrow gravel road surrounded by tall spruce trees and alders. During the landing rollout a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right and the right wing impacted a spruce tree. The plane spun 180 degrees and came to rest into trees sustaining substantial damage to both wings. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, engine, or related systems that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

A complete loss of engine power as a result of carburetor ice due to the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that when he increased the engine throttle during cruise flight, the engine rpm lagged, and he heard the engine “stutter.” He applied full carburetor heat, and the engine rpm dropped over 600 rpm, and it sounded like it was going to quit. He closed off the carburetor heat immediately and began to circle an airport in case of an engine failure. The pilot began to slowly add carburetor heat in small increments to melt the ice from the carburetor. After about five minutes of slowly adding carburetor heat, he determined that the carburetor ice had all melted off and the engine was operating normally. After determining the engine was running properly, he continued towards his destination. He periodically applied full carburetor heat for 30 to 60 seconds at a time. About two miles from his destination the pilot applied carburetor heat, and the engine began to again “stutter.” The pilot again slowly increased the carburetor heat to gradually melt the ice buildup in the carburetor. The engine continued “sputtering” and running very rough and then lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine twice to no avail. The pilot trimmed the airplane for the best rate of glide and began looking for a place for an emergency landing. The pilot made a forced landing to a short narrow gravel road surrounded by tall spruce trees and alders. During the landing rollout a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right and the right wing impacted a spruce tree. The plane spun 180 degrees and came to rest into trees sustaining substantial damage to both wings. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, engine, or related systems that would have precluded normal operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 AKST
Nearest AirportAnchor River Airpark (1.1nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN3798Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A213 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 F / 39 F
Altimeter29.34 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data