On November 10, 1984, a Piper PA-12 (registration N2520M) was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed during a forced landing after a power loss. The pilot had noticed a fuel leak during preflight but chose to fly. A post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft; the engine showed no discrepancies. The pilot suspected carburetor ice.
Accident Details
The aircraft crashed during a forced landing after experiencing a power loss. Following the crash, a fire consumed and destroyed the aircraft. Investigators partially disassembled the engine during the post-accident examination but found no mechanical discrepancies or abnormalities.
Pilot's Actions
During the preflight inspection, the pilot discovered a fuel leak between the carburetor and the gascolator. He attempted to rectify the leak but was unable to do so. Despite the unresolved fuel leak, the pilot chose to initiate the flight. After the power loss, the pilot indicated that he suspected carburetor ice as the cause.
Investigation
No engine discrepancies were identified after partial disassembly. The fuel leak observed by the pilot was noted, but the source does not specify whether it was related to the power loss. The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire.