Probable cause
The fatigue failure of the engine crankshaft for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident metallurgical examination.
NTSB analysis
The scheduled passenger flight was about 11 miles from its destination airport when the airplane's engine began to lose power and vibrate. After completing the "Engine Power Loss In-Flight" emergency checklist, and with no improvement in engine power or the vibration, the pilot elected to shut down the engine and performed a forced landing on a beach. During the landing, the airplane's nose landing gear folded back under the airplane, and the engine firewall sustained substantial damage.
An examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft fractured forward of the #6 bearing journal on the crankshaft through the counterweight web. The fracture surfaces were all consistent with fatigue; however, the cause of the fatigue crack initiation could not be determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12LA058 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 25, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gustavus, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-32-300
- N-number
- N8908N
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.