NTSB Factual Report

On August 8, 2005, about 1930 Alaska daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12D-85 airplane, N5616M, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing following a total loss of engine power, about 5 miles northwest of Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) local personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot and sole passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Willow Airport, Willow, Alaska, about 2000.

During a conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 8, an Alaska State Trooper, who interviewed the pilot at the scene, said the pilot said he was cruising about 900 feet agl when the engine started to lose power. The Trooper indicated the pilot reported that as he applied full power the engine quit, and when he was unable to restart the engine, he attempted an emergency landing on a road. During the landing the airplane collided with unmarked power lines and impacted trees, receiving structural damage to both wings and the fuselage.

In a written statement to the NTSB, dated September 8, the pilot indicated he performed a cruise descent from 2,100 feet to 700 feet above mean sea level (msl) with the carburetor heat on. He wrote that after a short time at 700 feet, he applied full power to gain altitude for the flight home. He said about 900 feet msl, the airplane's engine quit. He wrote that he attempted to restart the engine without success. During an emergency landing to a dirt road, the airplane struck unmarked electrical wires, which redirected the airplane into the trees along the dirt road.

During an examination of the airplane at the accident site by the NTSB IIC on August 8, fuel was found in the carburetor and in the airplane's fuel tank.

On August 18, under the direction of the NTSB IIC, an FAA aviation safety inspector performed an operational test run of the airplane's engine. The engine was started and run at various power settings. The carburetor was removed and evaluated on a flow test stand. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine or carburetor.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power for an unknown reason while maneuvering, which precipitated an emergency descent and landing, and resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines and trees. A factor associated with the accident was the power lines.