# NTSB ANC85LA069: Piper PA-12, N4228M, Beluga, AK, April 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1985, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920494, -159.490722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9205&lon=-159.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 4482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - refueling - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS DOING LOW ALT TURNS-ABOUT-A-POINT WHEN THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED INTO TREES. PLT STATED THE ACFT HAD APRX 5 GALS OF FUEL AN BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4228M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4228M-2018-04-24), registration cancelled 2018-04-24, S/N 12-3183, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3183
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Samuel E. Thistle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: BLG, BELGULA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 609 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850418015849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850418015849A), Apr 18, 1985: Piper PA12, Beluga, AK, Substantial damage. According to pilot low fuel situation caused engine to quit during maneuvers and aircraft crashed into wooded area.

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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