# NTSB ANC04LA005: Piper PA-20, N1486A, Bethel, AK, November 3, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 2003, 17:00 local (Nov 3, 2003, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.766666, -161.833328 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7667&lon=-161.8333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58294 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58294/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA005 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power, and subsequent forced landing. Factors associated with the accident were weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Main gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was flying over mountainous terrain when he noted a rough running engine and a slight reduction in engine rpm. He applied full carburetor heat, which was followed by a rapid loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of altitude. Unable to restore adequate engine power to maintain level flight, the pilot selected an uphill portion of a mountainside as a forced landing site. During touchdown on the soft, tundra-covered terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot said that weather conditions at the time of the accident were, in part: Visibility, 10 statute miles in light rain and mist; clouds and sky condition, 3,000 feet overcast; temperature, 40 degrees F. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that the loss of engine power was due to carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 2003, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-20 airplane, N1486A, sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear collapsed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, about 65 miles east of Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot sustained minor injuries, and the sole passenger aboard was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1545, from the Aniak Airport, Aniak, Alaska, and was returning to Aniak when the accident occurred. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on November 5, the pilot related that the purpose of the flight was to view some Alaskan scenery, and added that two off airport landings were accomplished prior to the accident. He said that on the return flight to Aniak, while over mountainous terrain, he noted a rough running engine and a slight reduction in engine rpm. He applied full carburetor heat, which was followed by a rapid loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of altitude. The pilot said that he was unable to restore adequate engine power to maintain level flight, and he selected an uphill portion of a mountainside as a forced landing site. During touch down on the soft tundra-covered terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that weather conditions at the time of the accident were, in part: Visibility, 10 statute miles in light rain and mist; clouds and sky condition, 3,000 feet overcast; temperature, 40 degrees F. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that the loss of engine power was due to carburetor icing. According to the pilot, Piper PA-20 airplanes with Lycoming O-290-D engines are highly susceptible to carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1486A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1486A-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 20-839, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-839 - Airframe hours: 3317 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard C. Ricks - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2003, 100 hours before - Departed: AKI, Aniak, AK - Destination: AKI, Aniak, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 24, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 1,162 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,109 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20031102027759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031102027759A), Nov 2, 2003: Piper PA20, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Loi mailed 11/13/03. Awaiting pilot statement. Will amend as more information becomes available. ## Other investigations on N1486A (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC73DAG24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG24), Sep 3, 1972: Piper PA-20 (N1486A), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.