# NTSB ANC86LA048: Piper PA-12, N78564, Soldotna, AK, April 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1986, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.320148, -150.789566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3201&lon=-150.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4654/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing
  - fuel system,line - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A HEADER TANK ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WAS STARVED OF FUEL WHEN IN A SHALLOW DIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78564](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78564), registered now, S/N 12-3939, 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: 123939
- Airframe hours: 2234
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald E. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1977, 665 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,236 total, 575 in this make and model, 1,112 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 19 °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 19860424013509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860424013509A), Apr 24, 1986: Piper STCPA12, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on a low pass over an airstrip. Hit trees during landing. Pilot said fuel outlets unported on descent.

## Other investigations on N78564 (1)

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 ANC11CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA106), Sep 23, 2011: Piper PA-12 (N78564), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to take off uphill into rising terrain.

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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