# NTSB ANC83FA177: Piper PA-12, N2810M, Anchorage, AK, September 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1983, 19:37 local (Sep 20, 1983, 03:37 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219753, -149.849502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2198&lon=-149.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE APPROACHING MERRILL FIELD THE ENG QUIT. THE ACFT LANDED ON A CITY ROAD & THE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE WX IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE HAD MARGINAL CONDITIONS WITH BOTH RAIN & FOG. THE TEMP/DEW POINT SPREAD WAS 2 DEG F. THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE ENG FAILURE TO CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2810M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2810M), registered now, S/N 12-1263, 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: 12-1263
- Airframe hours: 1782
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry C. Gierke
- Registered owner: Bernie M. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1983, 44 hours before
- Departed: TYONEK, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 6, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,107 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 2 nm away

## 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 19830919074229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830919074229A), Sep 19, 1983: Piper PA12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot claims carburetor ice caused engine to quit during letdown for landing. Crash occurred during landing.

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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