# NTSB ANC95LA037: Piper J3, N88415, Skwentna, AK, March 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1995, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930114, -151.730651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9301&lon=-151.7307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2634
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2634/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA037

## Probable cause

A FROZEN ENGINE BREATHER TUBE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF OIL AND ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil tubing - obstructed (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil tubing - frozen
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY FERRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE'S WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO GET SPATTERED WITH OIL AND THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE BEGAN TO DECREASE.  THE PILOT SELECTED A FORCED LANDING AREA ON A REMOTE FROZEN LAKE.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE, PRODUCING DAMAGE TO THE WING AND FUSELAGE.  THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE BREATHER TUBE WAS FROZEN OVER.  DUE THE REMOTE NATURE OF THE AREA, THE PILOT REPLACED THE ENGINE OIL AND DEPARTED THE LAKE.  THE AIRPLANE WAS FLOWN TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE AIRSTRIP AND SECURED.  DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED TO THE NTSB 12 DAYS LATER.

## Factual narrative

On March 10, 1995, about 1700 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper J3, N88415, collided with a tree during a forced landing, about 65 miles northwest of Skwentna, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country ferry flight to deliver the airplane to Aniak, Alaska, via McGrath, Alaska, when the accident occurred.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  After refueling the airplane, the flight originated at Big Lake Airport, Big Lake, Alaska, about 1300 after an initial departure from Birchwood, Alaska.

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight after transiting through Rainy Pass, the windshield began to get spattered with oil.  The engine began losing oil pressure and the pilot selected a forced landing area on a remote frozen lake.  During the landing roll, the airplane's right wing struck a tree, resulting in damage to the right wing spar and rear fuselage longeron.  The pilot indicated that he found the engine breather tube frozen.  Due to the remote nature of the area, the pilot replaced the engine oil and departed.  The airplane was flown to Farewell Lake, Alaska, and secured.  The damage to the airplane was reported on March 22, 1995.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N88415 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16139
- Airframe hours: 9598
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Dean Heimermann
- Registered owner: Joe Fanazock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1995, 15 hours before
- Departed: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,100 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °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 19950310008189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950310008189A), Mar 10, 1995: Piper J3, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Oil on windshield. Lost oil pressure. Landed on frozen lake. Hit tree. Breather tube froze. Flew back to base.

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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