# NTSB ANC92LA081: Piper PA-12, N3717M, Port Bainbridge, AK, May 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1992, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Bainbridge, AK
- Coordinates: 60.050308, -149.329849 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0503&lon=-149.3298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (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): 5732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA081

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN IN THE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER A BEACH ON WHICH HE INTENTED TO LAND. AFTER APPLYING FULL POWER AND REACHING ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRPLANE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE ENGINE POWER INTERRUPTION.  THE PILOT WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL AND COULD NOT REMEMBER IF HE HAD APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE LOW PASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3717M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3717M), registered now, S/N 12-2659, 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: 12-2659
- Airframe hours: 2131
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce Johnson
- Registered owner: Bruce Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1992, 32 hours before
- Departed: JOHNSTONE BAY, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 398 total, 318 in this make and model, 398 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19920522016439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920522016439A), May 22, 1992: Piper PA12, Fort Bainbridge, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on go around from a beach landing area. Suspect carburetor ice.

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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