# NTSB ANC80DAH12: Piper PA-12, N3322M, Copper Center, AK, September 4, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 4, 1980
- Place: Copper Center, AK · COPPER CENTER, AK
- Location: 62.0081° N, 145.3927° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Copper Center, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0081&lon=-145.3927&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC80DAH12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAH12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2834   80/9/4  NR.COPPER CENTER,AK   PIPER PA-12         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 40, 560
        TIME - 1000                    N3322M              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 339 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          COPPER CENTER,AK            CHOHOKNA RIVER,AK           UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        REMARKS- ATTMPTG TO MARK LOCATION OF DEAD CARIBOU.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3322M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3322M-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 122178 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19800904041789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800904041789A), Sep 4, 1980: Piper PA12, Copper Center, AK, Substantial damage. Flying low and slow over dead caribou. Stalled aircraft. Too low to recover before ground impact.

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.

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