# NTSB CHI83LA252: Piper PA-12, N2487M, Blackduck, MN, June 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1983, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Blackduck, MN
- Coordinates: 47.720157, -94.54074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7202&lon=-94.5407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA252

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,push rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD AFTER LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. DURING AN ENROUTE PORTION OF THIS FLT THE PILOT STATED THAT OIL CONSUMPTION WAS EXCESSIVE. HE PLANNED AN INTERMEDIATE STOP FOR THAT REASON. BEFORE REACHING THE INTERMEDIATE STOP THE ENGINE 'FROZE'. NO OIL WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE LOWER FUSELAGE WAS COATED WITH OIL WHICH HAD GONE OUT THROUGH THE BREATHER. THE #2 PISTON ROD HAD FAILED. COMPRESSION ON #1,3 AND 4 CYLINDERS WAS LOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2487M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2487M-1985-08-22), registration cancelled 1985-08-22, S/N 12-1560, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1560
- Airframe hours: 2062
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: North Country Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1983, 29 hours before
- Departed: IUL, INTL FALLS, MN
- Destination: DTL, DETROIT LAKES, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,303 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,278 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJI, 20 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 19830612024849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830612024849A), Jun 12, 1983: Piper PA12, Blackduck, MN, Substantial damage. Ran out of oil en route. Engine seized. Made hard landing on the floats in a field. Engine rings bad. Blew out oil.

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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