# NTSB ANC82IA067: Piper J-3, N70604, Near Big Lake, AK, August 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1982, 21:15 local (Aug 5, 1982, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Near Big Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82IA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82IA067

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - failure,partial (cause)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFTS ENGINE LOST POWER AND BEGAN VIBRATING SEVERLY. AFTER THE PILOT TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, HE EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A MARSH. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BOGGED DOWN AND NOSED OVER. A TEARDOWN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT IT HAD EXPERIENCED AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE AREA OF THE #1 AND #2 CYLINDERS. WHILE THE EXACT MODE AND SEQUENCE OF FAILURE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED, EVIDENCE OF INADEQUATE LUBRICATION WAS OBSERVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70604](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70604), registered now, S/N 17613, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17613
- Airframe hours: 9272
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen F. Turner
- Registered owner: Stephen F. Turner
- Departed: LHD, LAKE HOOD, AK
- Destination: LHD, LAKE HOOD, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 129 total, 66 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F

## Other investigations on N70604 (2)

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 ANC14CA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA004), Oct 10, 2013: Piper J3C 65 (N70604), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to make contact with an unsuitable landing surface, resulting in a nose over.
- [NTSB ANC68F0021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68F0021), Jun 9, 1967: Piper J-3 (N70604), Talkeetna, 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.

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