# NTSB ANC82DAG55: Piper PA-12, N3829M, Anchorage, AK, September 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1982, 16:24 local (Sep 17, 1982, 00:24 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.180377, -149.880355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1804&lon=-149.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69773
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG55
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69773/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG55

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF AT THE END OF THE LAKE, TURN DOWNWIND & STALL, THE ACFT WAS OVER MAX TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT & THE REAR CG WAS BEYOND THE AFT LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3829M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3829M-1982-12-21), registration cancelled 1982-12-21, S/N 122746 (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
- Airframe hours: 1992
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Ben
- Registered owner: Gary Ben
- Departed: ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: SHIRLEY LAKE, AK
- Airport: Lake Hood, runway 18, 1,000 × 0 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 614 total, 147 in this make and model, 423 as pilot in command, 192 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 127 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820916049439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820916049439A), Sep 16, 1982: Piper PA12, Anchorage, AK, Destroyed. Over gross weight and aft of CG, aircraft stalled on downwind turn to avoid obstructions, after water takeoff.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
