# NTSB ANC92LA080: Piper PA-12, N3558M, Port Heiden, AK, May 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1992, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.960014, -158.579483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9600&lon=-158.5795&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 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA080

## Probable cause

ENGINE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED CAUSES.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, HE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE SUBSEQUENT OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE.  TEARDOWN AND TESTING OF THE ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES REVEALED NO PROBLEMS THAT WERE CONSIDERED CAUSAL TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3558M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3558M), registered now, S/N 12-2404 (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: 12-2402
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-C2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Peter D. Hickey
- Registered owner: Peter D. Hickey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992, 150 hours before
- Departed: PTH
- Destination: PTH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,280 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19920526015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920526015999A), May 26, 1992: Piper STCPA12, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power. Crash landed on river gravel bar. NR1 cylinder was cracked, caused very low compression.

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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