# NTSB ANC91LA122: Piper PA-12, N2719M, Iliamna, AK, August 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1991, 16:00 local (Aug 12, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.8497, -154.559173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8497&lon=-154.5592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA122

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN OF THE TUNDRA LANDING AREA.

## 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 - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tundra
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW LEVEL, THE ENGINE QUIT.  AFTER AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE TUNDRA, THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT REVEALED WATER IN BOTH FUEL TANKS AND CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2719M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2719M), registered now, S/N 12-1216, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 121216
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Kneen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1991, 100 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,475 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,411 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °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 19910811033729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910811033729A), Aug 11, 1991: Piper STCPA12, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Four minutes after takeoff while maneuvering at low altitude engine quit. Landed on tundra. 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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