PIPER PA-16
Soldotna, AK — February 9, 2023
Event Information
| Date | February 9, 2023 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ANC23LA020 |
| Event ID | 20230213106728 |
| Location | Soldotna, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 60.47486, -151.03964 |
| Airport | Soldotna Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-16 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Full Narrative
On February 08, 2023, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-16 airplane, N5987H sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in Soldotna, Alaska. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost partial power then regained power. The pilot turned the airplane back to the airport to perform an emergency landing. While in the turn, a total loss of engine power occurred and upon landing on airport property, the airplane impacted a snowbank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
A postaccident examination of the engine, with oversight by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The carburetor icing chart shows the weather conditions were conducive for carburetor ice at glide or cruise power.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.