# NTSB ANC83LA077: Piper PA-12, N2725M, Aniak, AK, May 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1983, 18:00 local (May 21, 1983, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Aniak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.199619, -158.599472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1996&lon=-158.5995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - object - bird(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS TAKING OFF DOWNSLOPE & DOWNWIND ON BUMPY MUSKEG/TUNDRA WITH FULL FLAPS. AT APRX 40 TO 45 MPH, THE ACFT LIFTED OFF BEFORE REACHING THE EDGE OF A DEEP RAVINE. HE BEGAN A SHALLOW LEFT TURN, THEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE WHICH SPUN THE ACFT AROUND ABOUT 180 DEG FROM THE ORIGINAL HEADING. AFTER REVERSING ITS HEADING, IT WAS ABOUT 200 FT ABOVE THE TERRAIN IN THE RAVINE. THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE, WITH FULL THROTTLE APPLIED, & JUST BEFORE IMPACT WAS ABLE TO RAISE THE NOSE TO A LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE TREE & REPORTED THERE WERE NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH NON-STANDARD AUTOMOBILE RACING SLICKS (WHEELS) THAT WERE APRX 33 INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE WIND WAS REPORTED FROM 180 DEG AT 5 GUSTING 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2725M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2725M-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 12-1135, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1135
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephan L. Hill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANT, ANIAK, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: NONE, runway 8

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19830520022989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830520022989A), May 20, 1983: Piper PA12, Aniak, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a tree on takeoff. Impact slowed aircraft then it dropped to bottom of a ravine. Impacted in level attitude.

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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