Probable cause
The fracture and subsequent failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve during cruise flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while the airplane was in level cruise flight, he heard a loud "pop," followed by a total loss of engine power. He subsequently made a forced landing to an open, tundra-covered site. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed a fractured exhaust valve stem on the No. 4 cylinder, which subsequently pulverized the electrodes on both sparks plugs and severely damaged the piston.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC13LA102 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 5, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nondalton, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3L-65
- N-number
- N38262
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1941
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.