Piper J-3 N92469

Summary

On 14 October 2004 at about 02:05 local time, a Piper J-3 registered N92469 was involved in an accident near North Pole, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 October 2004 at 02:05

Classification

Accident

Location

North Pole, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Wright Field

Coordinates

64.8333, -147.4500

Aircraft

Piper J-3

Registration

N92469

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

North Pole → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC05LA006

Nobody was injured.

An inadequate annual inspection by other maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, and subsequent collision with trees during the ensuing emergency landing. Factors associated with the accident are a contaminated fuel system, a missing fuel screen, and a clogged fuel gascolator.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial certificated flight instructor was giving flight instruction for a tailwheel endorsement to the commercial certificated airplane owner. Shortly after takeoff from the private airstrip, the airplane lost all engine power. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane, and made a forced landing into adjacent trees. The airplane received structural damage to both wings and the rudder. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector disclosed that the airplane had completed an annual inspection about 9 flight hours prior to the accident flight. The inspector discovered that an incorrect size carburetor had been installed by the mechanic who did the annual inspection, and that the center fuel tank had corrosion and rust contamination, and was missing its outlet fuel screen. The inspector disassembled the fuel gascolator screen, and discovered it was clogged with foreign debris. After the gascolator was cleaned, the inspector reported that "the engine started and ran fine."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.