# NTSB ANC99LA011: Piper PA-12, N5129Y, Willow, AK, November 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 1998, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.890911, -149.730346 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8909&lon=-149.7303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 45335 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45335/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA011 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor associated with the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot reported that while in cruise flight at 1,000 feet msl, all engine power was lost. He stated that all attempts to restore engine power failed, forcing him to select an open swampy meadow as an emergency landing area. During the ensuing landing roll, the airplane's main landing gear contacted soft tundra, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and tail. The NTSB investigator-in-charge did not have access to the airplane or engine after recovery, and was unable to perform a postaccident inspection. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 1998, about 1450 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N5129Y, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent off airport forced landing about 15 miles northeast of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on November 4, 1998, the pilot reported that while in cruise flight at 1,000 feet msl, all engine power was lost. He stated that all attempts to restore engine power failed, forcing him to select an open swampy meadow as an emergency landing area. During the ensuing landing roll, the airplane's main landing gear contacted soft tundra, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and tail. The NTSB investigator-in-charge did not have access to the airplane or engine after recovery, and was unable to perform a postaccident inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5129Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5129Y), registered now, S/N 12-1554 (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: 12-1554 - Airframe hours: 2556 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Harold Carbine - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1998, 3 hours before - Departed: UUO, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 77 total, 14 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °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 19981103039929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981103039929A), Nov 3, 1998: Piper STCPA12, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 3, 1998, about 1450 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N5129Y, sustained substantial damage following a loss of… ## Other investigations on N5129Y (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 ANC01LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA133), Sep 4, 2001: Piper PA-12 (N5129Y), Tok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to abort the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point. An… 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.