# NTSB ANC92LA076: Piper PA-12-150, N7869H, Birchwood, AK, May 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1992, 07:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Birchwood, AK
- Coordinates: 61.40966, -149.170608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4097&lon=-149.1706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA076

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL GROUND LOOP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AND DURING THE TAKEOFF PHASE AT 50 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER.  HE LANDED ON THE OVERRUN AND GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID STRIKING THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE, ITS SYSTEMS, FUEL SYSTEM, OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.  THE AIRPLANE WAS USING A CLEAR FUEL WHICH LOOKED AND SMELLED LIKE AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7869H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7869H), registered now, S/N 12-772 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12-150
- 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: 12-772
- Airframe hours: 3412
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald Barber
- Registered owner: Marta Hershchyshyn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1992, 24 hours before
- Airport: Z15, Birchwood, runway 1, 4,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 10,565 total, 600 in this make and model, 10,265 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 104 °F, dew point 86 °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 19920523016459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920523016459A), May 23, 1992: Piper PA12, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Landed on overrun. Ground looped to avoid fence. Pilot believes fuel unporting as cause.

## Other investigations on N7869H (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 ANC76DAH83](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH83), Sep 25, 1976: Piper PA-12 (N7869H), Port Alsworth, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.