What happened
On November 8, 2025, at approximately 13:00 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-14, registration N5188H, was involved in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska. The aircraft had departed from Willow Airport (PAUO) with wheel skis installed, en route to Talkeetna Airport (PATK).
While flying approximately three miles south of PATK, the pilot began a descent and applied full carburetor heat. Shortly after this action, the engine lost all power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing on a gravel bar located three miles from the airport.
During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing made contact with the ground. The accident resulted in no injuries, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the left wing.