19981103039929A

(.19) On November 3, 1998, about 1450 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N5129Y, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent off airport forced landing about 15 miles northeast of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under title 14, CFR part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the national transportation safety board investigator-in-charge on November 4, 1998, the pilot reported that while in cruise flight at 1,000 feet MSL, all engine power was lost. He stated that all attempts to restore engine power failed, forcing him to select an open meadow as an emergency landing area. During the ensuing landing roll, the airplane's main landing gear contacted soft tundra, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and tail. (.4) the certificated private pilot reported that while in cruise flight at 1,000 feet MSL, all engine power lost. He stated that all attempts to restore engine power failed, forcing him to select an open swampy meadow as an emergency landing area. During the ensuing landing roll, the airplane's main landing gear contacted soft tundra, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and tail. The NTSB investigator-in-charge did not have access to the airplane or engine after recovery, and was unable to perform a postaccident inspection. (-23) during flight cruise at an altitude of between 900 and 1000 feet, the engine lost power. Pilot switch from the right fuel tank which was 3/4 full to the left fuel tank which was full. The engine did not respond. Pilot then advanced the throttle to the maximum power setting with no response from the engine. Pilot then used the engine primer to try and restart the engine. The engine seemed to try to restart once, but did not actually restart. Engine primer would not buildup pressure even though there was fuel in both fuel tanks. Pilot landed the aircraft in a clearing. During the rollout the tires broke through the frozen ground causing the aircraft to flip over onto its back there were no injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Aircraft removed from the accident site by helicopter and is located at the Willow Airport.