Piper PA-12 N3233M

Summary

On 14 January 2010 at about 14:30 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3233M, operated by Copper Valley Air Service LLC, was involved in an accident near Gulkana, 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 January 2010 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Gulkana, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

55.9204, -159.4903

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3233M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Copper Valley Air Service LLC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gulkana → McCarthy

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC10LA012

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in structural damage to the airplane during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was on a passenger flight when the accident occurred. The pilot said that, due to the cold outside temperature, he departed with the airplane's oil cooler cover in place. He said that the engine temperature increased and that he decided to land and remove the oil cooler cover. He then landed on a snow-covered lake and after landing he continued laying down tracks in the snow to aid in his departure. While laying down tracks the airplane's skis hit a ridge hidden under the snow. The pilot then examined the airplane and found that a fuselage frame tube had broken near the right main landing gear attachment. The pilot said that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.