# NTSB ANC82DA071: Piper PA-12, N2701M, Polly Creek, AK, August 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1982, 18:20 local (Aug 13, 1982, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Polly Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 60.069068, -151.420989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0691&lon=-151.4210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED ON THE BEACH NEAR THE MOUTH OF POLLY CREEK TO GO FISHING. AFTER FISHING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FILLER CAP ON THE LEFT MAIN TANK. THIS OCCURRED WHEN FUEL CROSS-FLOWED FROM THE RIGHT AUXILIARY TANK. THE PILOT TURNED OFF THE LEFT MAIN AND RIGHT AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS TO STOP THE CROSS FEED. AFTER SEVERAL MORE HOURS, THE TIDE BEGAN COMING IN AND THE PILOT HURRIED HIS PREFLIGHT TO GET OFF THE BEACH DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE COUGHED AT LIFT-OFF, PROMOTING THE PILOT TO ABORT. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED 2 OR 3 TIMES ON THE BEACH WHICH WAS UNEVEN, THEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENTERED THE SURF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE VEERED AND NOSED OVER IN DEEPER WATER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD PLANNED TO TAKEOFF USING THE FULL LEFT TANK. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE FOUND THE RIGHT FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON, BUT THE LEFT MAIN TANK WAS ONLY PARTIALLY ON. HE BELIEVED THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SPUTTER FROM FUEL STARVATION. BEFORE RECOVERY, THE PLANE WAS FURTHER DAMAGED BY THE SURF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2701M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2701M), registered now, S/N 12-1205, 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: 12-1205
- Airframe hours: 1958
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary S. Liepitz
- Registered owner: Gary S. Liepitz
- Departed: POLLY CREEK, AK
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: (Unimproved Beach)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 169 total, 66 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820812041579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820812041579A), Aug 12, 1982: Piper PA12, Polly Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot aborted takeoff from beach because of sputtering engin and lost directional control nosing over in surf.

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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