19990612007019A

Acft made an emergency landing for unknown reasons and sustained substantial damage. (From .19) on June 12, 1999, about 1930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Taylorcraft BC-12 airplane, N43373, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from the Summit Airport, a private airport located about six miles southwest of cantwell, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight to the lake hood strip, anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was the continuation of a cross-country flight that originated at the fairbanks international airport, fairbanks, Alaska, about 1800. During an interview with the national transportation safety board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (iic), on June 14, 1999, the pilot reported that when he departed fairbanks, the airplane's engine was running fine. He landed at the Summit Airport for a rest. Upon departure from runway 21, the engine power began to decrease, varying from full power to almost none. His applicatio n of carburetor heat produced no change. He said the engine was not running rough or sputtering, but was not producing enough power to climb above about 100 feet. He made a gentle bank to the left, gradually losing altitude. He performed an emergency landing in tundra-covered terrain about 3/4 mile southwest of the airport. During the landing, the landing gear was sheared off, the wing lift struts were bent, and the left wing was bent at the inboard end. (-23) on June 12, 1999 a wheel equipped Taylorcraft BC-12 airplane, N43373 sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from Summit Airport, six miles southwest of cantwell, Alaska. Upon departure from the runway, the engine power began to decrease, varying from full power to almost none. The engine was not running rough prior, but was not producing enough power to climb above 100 feet. The aircraft made an emergency landing in tundra covered terrain about 3/4 mile southwest of the airport. During the landing, the landing gear was sheared off, the wing lift struts were bent, the left wing struts buckled, and the front spar of the left wing was s heared just outboard of the metal attach fitting. (.4) the pilot was departing a private airport on the continuation of a cross-country flight. He reported the engine power began to decrease, varying from full power to almost none, and the application of carburetor heat produced no change. The engine was not running rough or sputtering, but was not producing enough power to climb above about 100 feet. He made a gentle bank to the left, gradually losing altitude, and made an emergency landing on soft, tundra-covered terrain about 3/4 mile southwest of the airport. During the landing, the landing gear was sheared off, the wing lift struts were bent, and the left wing was bent at the inboard end. The pilot said he always filtered his fuel through a chamois. Prior to his departure on the cross-country flight, he did not find any water in the fuel when he drained his fuel tanks. Following recovery of the airplane, it was inspected by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The inspector reported the carburetor control cables were attached, and operated normally. Fuel was present in the carburetor bowl, and in the lines to the carburetor. About four to five gallons of fu el were present in the header tank. Engine gear train continuity was established. The air filter was unobstructed.