# NTSB ANC91LA072: Piper PA-12, N3459M, Kenai, AK, June 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1991, 16:00 local (Jun 13, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.65987, -150.899597 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6599&lon=-150.8996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5556/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA072

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND THE CONTAMINATED FUEL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - water
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND WAS LOCATED IN A NOSE DOWN POSITION RESTING AT THE BOTTOM OF A STEEP SLOPE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEMS REVEALED WATER IN BOTH TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3459M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3459M-2012-06-04), registration cancelled 2012-06-04, S/N 12-2317, 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: 122317
- Airframe hours: 1145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vincent Spady
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1991, 9 hours before
- Departed: KENAI, AK
- Destination: NONE, SKWENTNA, AK
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 77 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19910612021369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910612021369A), Jun 12, 1991: Piper PA12, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff roll. Unable to stop,ran off end,down slope into tree stumps. Found water in fuel.

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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