On July 7, 2001, a Piper PA-12 (registration N78495) was involved in an aviation accident near Stillwater, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of engine power for undermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. Additional factors included the power line and the trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A floatplane impacted a tree during a forced landing after losing engine power. The pilot executed an engine failure checklist but was unable to restart. The aircraft came to rest inverted. No preimpact anomalies were found.
Accident Summary
A floatplane sustained damage when it struck a tree during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the engine quit shortly after a left bank while climbing northbound over a river. After leveling the wings and losing altitude, the pilot performed the engine failure flow without success. Unable to reach the river due to a large tree, the pilot avoided power lines and a road, then deliberately stalled the airplane into smaller trees and brush. The aircraft came to rest upside down.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot: "I made a left bank and engine quit. Leveled wings after losing altitude. Looked and did my engine failure flow and nothing came back. I couldn't make it to the river due to a large tree. I avoided power lines and road and stalled it into some smaller trees and brush. The plane landed upside down."
Inspection Findings
A post-accident inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The cause of the engine power loss remains undetermined.