# NTSB CHI04CA118: Piper PA-12, N2368M, Hartford, WI, May 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2004, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Hartford, WI - Coordinates: 43.349998, -88.39167 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3500&lon=-88.3917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59255 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59255/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA118 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor to the accident was the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## 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) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis The airplane was damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power during initial climb. The pilot reported there were no anomalies with the operation of either magneto and there was no indication of carburetor ice accumulation during the pretakeoff engine tests. The pilot stated he experienced an uneventful takeoff roll and climb out until approximately 350 feet above ground level, at which time the engine lost power. The pilot, who was seated in the rear seat, instructed the pilot-rated passenger to switch fuel tanks, check the position of the magneto switch, and to select carburetor heat on. The pilot stated there was no change in the engine operation and he performed a forced landing into an open field. The main landing gear collapsed when it encountered the soft terrain condition. Subsequent to the accident, two gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system and the samples did not contain water or particulate contamination. The damaged propeller was replaced with a serviceable propeller so that an engine operational test could be accomplished. The engine started and idled between 550 and 600 rpm. The engine was then accelerated to 3,350 rpm and no anomalies were noted during the test. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2004, at 1555 central daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N2368M, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Hartford, Wisconsin. The airplane was on initial climb from runway 18 (2,000 feet by 200 feet, dry grass) at the Hartford Municipal Airport (HXF) when it experienced a loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, there were no anomalies with the operation of either magneto and there was no indication of carburetor ice accumulation during the pretakeoff engine tests. The pilot reported that he experienced an uneventful takeoff roll and climb out until approximately 350 feet above ground level, at which time the engine lost power. The pilot, who was seated in the rear seat, instructed the pilot-rated passenger to switch fuel tanks, check the position of the magneto switch, and to select carburetor heat on. The pilot stated there was no change in the engine operation and he performed a forced landing into an open field. The main landing gear collapsed when it encountered the soft terrain condition. Subsequent to the accident, two gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system and the samples did not contain water or particulate contamination. The damaged propeller was replaced with a serviceable propeller so that an engine operational test could be accomplished. The engine started and idled between 550 and 600 rpm. The engine was then accelerated to 3,350 rpm and no anomalies were noted during the test. The temperature and dew point were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, originally published by Transport Canada. The conditions at the time of the accident were conducive for moderate icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2368M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2368M), registered now, S/N 12-1500, built 1946 (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: 12-1500 - Airframe hours: 3755.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2004, 18.7 hours before - Departed: HXF, Hartford, WI - Destination: HXF, Hartford, WI - Airport: HXF, Hartford Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 31, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,550 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,475 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: ETB, 12 nm away ## 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 20040509012909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040509012909A), May 9, 2004: Piper PA12, Hartford, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 9, 2004, at 1605 CDT, a Piper PA-12, N2368M, registered to paul l. behrens, lost power on climb-out after takeoff from runway 18 at Hartford… ## Other investigations on N2368M (3) 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 SEA94FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA199), Jul 31, 1994: Piper PA-12 (N2368M), Salem, OR, minor damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OCCUPIED CANOE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED. - [NTSB ANC83LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA116), Jul 4, 1983: Piper PA-12 (N2368M), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74DAG77](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG77), Nov 10, 1973: Piper PA-12 (N2368M), Beluga, 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.