# NTSB ANC87LA079: Piper PA-12, N92558, Kvichak Bay, AK, June 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1987, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Kvichak Bay, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST POWER; THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED ON THE GRAVEL BAR. THE PILOT ALSO STATED HE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE LAST TIME HE FUELED THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92558](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92558-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N 12-87, 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: 1287
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary L. Gunkel
- Registered owner: Gary L Gunkel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °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 19870615025189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870615025189A), Jun 15, 1987: Piper STCPA12, Kvichak Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power on takeoff from a gravel bar. Aircraft stalled on return to bar. Suspect fuel exhaustion.

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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