Accident Details
On September 19, 2008, at about 1845 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-19 airplane, registration N3267Y, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing approximately 15 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and sole passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip in Wasilla, Alaska, at about 1815.
Pilot Actions
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 20, the pilot reported that he planned to fly over his intended landing site to inspect the area before landing. After completing the low pass over the site, as he advanced the throttle to climb, all engine power was lost. He selected an area of rough terrain at the departure end of the site for the forced landing. During the landing, the left wing collided with gravel-covered terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot noted in his written report that carburetor heat was applied during the descent and approach, while maintaining 1,500 engine rpm.
Weather Conditions
The closest official weather observation station, located at Palmer Airport about 15 miles northwest of the accident site, reported at 1846: wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, overcast ceiling at 7,000 feet, temperature 45 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting 29.49 inches of mercury. When the temperature and dew point are entered into a carburetor icing probability chart, the result falls in the "Serious icing-cruise or climb power" category.
Examination
On September 23, a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane at the pilot's private airstrip in Wasilla after it was recovered. The inspector reported that he was unable to find any preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.