# Accident 20220811014469A: Piper PA-12, Arctic Village, AK, August 11, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 11, 2022, 11:52 local time
- Place: Arctic Village, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 68.7201° N, 146.2341° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.7201&lon=-146.2341&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3937M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3937M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-12 (registry code 7101202, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 577 total, 36 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC22FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA066) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220811014469A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC) MESSAGED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^AT 0045L ON 8/11/2022 REQUESTING HER TO CHECK WEATHER CAMS FOR ARTIC VILLAGE. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ MESSAGED BACK AT 0646L FOR CLEAR SKIES AT ARCTIC VILLAGE.  PIC MESSAGED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ 0933L THAT HE WAS UP AND GETTING READY TO DEPART MARSH FORK AIRSTRIP.  ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED THAT PIC HAD MESSAGED FRIEND AT AROUND 1030L THAT HE WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE CAMP AT MARSH FORK AIRSTRIP.  ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED SHE SENT THREE MORE MESSAGES WITH NO RESPONSE.  AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED 2.5 NAUTICAL MILES SW OF MARSH FORK AIRSTRIP.  ACTUAL WEIGHT OF THE CONTENTS IN THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDING GEAR, PILOT, AND SHEEP WAS 554 POUNDS.  FUEL WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATED 150 POUNDS; ACTUAL WEIGHT OF THE FUEL HOWEVER WAS INDETERMINABLE.  A GUIDE PILOT FLYING IN THE LOCAL AREA MADE REFERENCE THAT HE HIMSELF REMAIND GROUNDED THAT AFTERNOON DUE TO HIGH VIOLENT WINDS IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA OF OPERATION, CLOSE TO THE SUBJECT AIRCRAFT APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES EAST OF MARSH FORK STRIP AND ACCIDENT SITE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC22FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA066), Aug 11, 2022: Piper PA-12 (N3937M), Arctic Village, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to depart in turbulent and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

## Other reports on N3937M (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20210101000429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210101000429I), Jan 1, 2021: Piper PA-12 (N3937M), Fairbanks, AK, Minor damage. Six to eight miles away from the airport and at approximately 1200-1300 feet MSL, aircraft engine crankshaft seal became dislodged causing a discharge of oil…
- [Accident 20180601006809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180601006809A), Jun 1, 2018: Piper PA-12 (N3937M), Nulato, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot decided to land on a ridge top. He made a first pass and drug a wheel to check the surface. On the second pass, he miss judged his height and speed. He…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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