# NTSB ANC87LA135: Piper PA-12, N4451M, Glennallen, AK, September 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1987, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Glennallen, AK
- Coordinates: 62.09975, -145.529647 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0998&lon=-145.5296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE PILOT RELATED THAT HE RAN OUT OF FUEL ENROUTE TO HIS PLANNED REFUELING STOP AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A HIGHWAY, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRPLANE. HE SAID THAT THE ENROUTE PORTION OF HIS FLIGHT TOOK MUCH LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED DUE TO STRONG HEADWINDS AND TURBULENCE. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OR BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4451M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4451M), registered now, S/N 12-3406, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 123406
- Airframe hours: 2503
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Danald E. Walter
- Registered owner: Charles R. Hosack
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CHISTOCHINA LDG, AK
- Destination: GKN, GLENNALLEN, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 595 total, 167 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 17 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GKN, 3 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 19870903049049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870903049049A), Sep 3, 1987: Piper PA12, Glennallen, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft made a hard landing on a road after fuel exhaustion. Pilot reported unexpected turbulence and headwind

## Other investigations on N4451M (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 ANC75DAG58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAG58), Nov 24, 1974: Piper PA-12 (N4451M), Seldovia, 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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