# NTSB ANC82DA045: Piper PA-12, N251T, Near Anchorage, AK, August 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1982, 17:20 local (Aug 7, 1982, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Near Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219535, -149.850509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2195&lon=-149.8505&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 August 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA045

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT WHEN THE RIGHT TANK WENT DRY. HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT TANK, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A CREEK BOTTOM NEAR POWERLINES. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE POWERLINES, HE HAD TO LAND DOWNWIND. THE AIRCRAFT HAD AN ENDURANCE OF 4.4 HOURS WITH 40 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 3.5 HOURS SINCE IT TOOK OFF FROM ITS ORIGINAL DEPARTURE POINT. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT HE INITIATED THE FLIGHT WITH 20 GALLONS OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N251T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N251T), registered now, S/N 12-254, built 1946 (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: 12-254
- Airframe hours: 2063
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Seven Star Flying Club Incorpo
- Registered owner: Seven Star Flying Club Incorpo
- Departed: TRAPPER CREEK, AK
- Destination: ANCORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,475 total, 15 in this make and model, 5,225 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 16 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 122 °F

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.

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