Piper PA-18-150 N2447J accident near Wasilla, Alaska

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while performing touch-and-go landings, on final approach with the carburetor heat on, the airplane’s engine suddenly lost total power. After assessing that the airplane had insufficient altitude to glide to the runway, the pilot selected nearby hay flats as a forced landing site. During the forced landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane’s right wing impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.

A postaccident examination of the engine, including the carburetor heat control, revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel was recovered from both wing fuel tanks and the fuselage sump drains.

Although the atmospheric conditions in which the airplane was operating were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings, the pilot’s reported use of carburetor heat during the approach would have prevented the accumulation of carburetor ice. Based on this information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC25LA019 for the full record.