# NTSB SEA96LA178: Piper PA-12, N2564M, Astoria, OR, August 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1996, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Astoria, OR - Coordinates: 46.119079, -123.670417 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1191&lon=-123.6704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42436/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA178 ## Probable cause failure of the carburetor heat box flapper valve, and the resultant air flow restriction to the carburetor. A factor relating to the accident was: high vegetation in the area where the forced landing was executed. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - carburetor heat,air box - failure (cause) - ram/induction air - flow restricted (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the initial climb after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power at about 200 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot maneuvered the aircraft to a forced landing in high vegetation, where it received substantial damage during touchdown. An inspection of the engine revealed that the carburetor heat box flapper valve had broken off and was restricting air flow in the carburetor throat. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1996, approximately 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N2564M, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing into high vegetation following a total loss of power during the initial climb after takeoff from the Astoria Airport, Astoria, Oregon. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and was destined for Troutdale, Oregon. The ELT was activated by the impact. The pilot reported that he executed a mid-field takeoff from runway 26, and while climbing through 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine abruptly stopped. Unable to achieve a restart, he executed a forced landing into an area of heavy brush slightly west of the upwind end of runway 26. An FAA monitored engine inspection determined that the carburetor heat box flapper valve had broken loose and moved into a position where it restricted the airflow in the carburetor throat. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2564M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2564M), registered now, S/N 12-937, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-937 - Airframe hours: 3147 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steffeck, James, A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1996, 15 hours before - Departed: AST - Destination: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR - Airport: AST, Astoria Regional, runway 26, 5,796 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,130 total, 330 in this make and model, 2,130 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AST, 1 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 19960805020869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960805020869A), Aug 5, 1996: Piper STCPA12, Astoria, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed heavy brush. Carb heat box flapper broke loose. Restricted airflow carb intake. ## Other investigations on N2564M (2) 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 SEA01FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01FA106), May 28, 2001: Piper PA-12 (N2564M), Augusta, MT, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff resulting in an inadvertent stall at low a altitude. - [NTSB MKC67F0037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0037), Jun 27, 1966: Piper PA-12 (N2564M), Madison, NE, 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.