N88415

On March 10, 1995, about 1700 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper J3, N88415, collided with a tree during a forced landing, about 65 miles northwest of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country ferry flight to deliver the airplane to Aniak, Alaska, via McGrath, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. After refueling the airplane, the flight originated at Big Lake Airport, Big Lake, Alaska, about 1300 after an initial departure from Birchwood, Alaska.

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight after transiting through Rainy Pass, the windshield began to get spattered with oil. The engine began losing oil pressure and the pilot selected a forced landing area on a remote frozen lake. During the landing roll, the airplane's right wing struck a tree, resulting in damage to the right wing spar and rear fuselage longeron. The pilot indicated that he found the engine breather tube frozen. Due to the remote nature of the area, the pilot replaced the engine oil and departed. The airplane was flown to Farewell Lake, Alaska, and secured. The damage to the airplane was reported on March 22, 1995.