# NTSB ANC04LA017: Piper PA-12, N3624M, Togiak, AK, December 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 30, 2003, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Togiak, AK - Coordinates: 59.210597, -160.539382 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2106&lon=-160.5394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58603 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58603/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA017 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason that resulted in a forced landing, a collapse of the main landing gear, and a collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was 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, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, emergency landing ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot reported that while in cruise flight over tree-covered terrain, he noted a rough running engine and a slight reduction in engine rpm. Engine emergency procedures did not remedy the engine roughness, which was followed by a rapid loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of altitude. The pilot selected a snow and tree-covered area as a forced landing site. During touch down on the soft, snow-covered terrain, the right main landing gear collapsed, the airplane pivoted to the left, and the left wing struck a stand of trees. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and fuselage. A postaccident inspection of the airplane did not reveal a reason for the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 2003, about 1415 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3624M, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, about 20 miles northeast of Togiak, 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, and the sole passenger aboard sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1310, from the Togiak Airport, Togiak, and was returning to Togiak when the accident occurred. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on January 1, 2004, the pilot related that the purpose of the flight was to view some Alaskan scenery. He said that on the return flight to Togiak, while over tree-covered terrain, he noted a rough running engine and a slight reduction in engine rpm. He said that engine emergency procedures did not remedy the engine roughness, 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 a snow and tree-covered area as a forced landing site. During touch down on the soft, snow-covered terrain, the right main landing gear collapsed, the airplane pivoted to the left, and the left wing struck a stand of trees. 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, 25 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 8,000 feet overcast; temperature, 24 degrees F. During a follow-up telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC on June 30, the pilot reported that after the airplane was retrieved from the accident site and transported to Togiak, maintenance personnel inspected the engine, but were unable to determine the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3624M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3624M-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 12-2494, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 217291 - Airframe hours: 3226.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sean N. Carlos - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2003, 25 hours before - Departed: TOG, Togiak, AK - Destination: TOG, Togiak, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,300 total, 520 in this make and model, 2,230 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °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 20031230034499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031230034499A), Dec 30, 2003: Piper PA12, Togiak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On return to Togiak, AK, the pilot noted rough running engine and a slight reduction in engine RPM. Pilot stated emergency procedures did not remedy the… 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.