Accident Details
On August 4, 2023, at about 1843 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-12S airplane, registration N2262G, was involved in an accident near Igiugig, Alaska. The pilot, who was the sole occupant and operator of the flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing.
Flight and Engine Malfunction
The pilot reported departing with 3 hours and 40 minutes of fuel on board for a planned flight of 2 hours and 44 minutes. Approximately 8 miles from the destination, the engine began to run rough and experienced power surging. The pilot performed engine rough running procedures: confirming the fuel selector was set to both tanks, adjusting throttle and mixture, checking magnetos, verifying the primer was in and locked, and applying carburetor heat. He turned right toward a landing spot; the engine briefly regained full power but then steadily lost power until it ceased completely.
Forced Landing and Damage
During the forced landing, the airplane encountered a deep hole in the tundra, causing it to veer right 90 degrees before coming to a stop. The resulting damage was substantial, affecting the fuselage and left wing.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination revealed that both the left and right fuel tanks contained no usable fuel. After fuel was added to the left wing tank, the engine started normally, idled smoothly at 600 rpm, and accelerated to a static rpm of 2250 rpm. Oil pressure was normal, and the carburetor heat functioned properly. No engine abnormalities were observed during testing.