On July 4, 1983, a Piper PA-12 (registration N2368M) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft was damaged during a forced landing after its engine stopped. The pilot reported trouble switching fuel tanks due to a hard-to-see selector, and the engine would not restart. Examination found no engine preexisting issues.
Accident Narrative
The aircraft sustained damage while conducting a forced landing after the engine ceased operation. According to the pilot, the engine began running rough at an altitude of 1,200 feet near Point Mackenzie. A few seconds later, the engine stopped completely.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported difficulty when attempting to switch fuel tanks. The fuel selector was positioned in a location that was hard to see, which caused the pilot to lose outside visual reference during the tank-switching procedure. After changing tanks, the pilot was unable to restart the engine. The forced landing resulted in damage to the aircraft.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed no evidence that would have prevented normal operation. No mechanical anomalies were found that could explain the loss of power. The investigation did not determine a specific cause for the engine stoppage.