# NTSB ANC83LA085: Piper PA-12, N3742M, Glennallen, AK, May 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1983, 03:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Glennallen, AK
- Coordinates: 62.099052, -145.530395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0991&lon=-145.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT & PASSENGER HAD WORKED A LONG DAY BEFORE GOING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE HOMES TO ATTEND HOUSEHOLD CHORES. LATER, THEY MET, AND REPORTEDLY, THEY CONSUMED FOOD & BEER. EVENTUALLY, THEY ARRIVED AT THE LOCATION OF WHERE THE PLT'S PLANE WAS PARKED. THE 2 OCCUPANTS GOT INTO THE ACFT & FLEW FOR A WHILE, THEN LANDED ALONG THE SHORE OF TAZLINA LAKE FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL RELIEF. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THEY TOOK OFF AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, THE PLT WAS EXPLANING A MANEUVER (FORWARD SIDE-SLIP) WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE SURFACE OF TAZLINE LAKE. THE PASSENGER WAS DAZED BY THE IMPACT, BUT GOT OUT WHILE THE PLANE WAS SINKING. HE DOVE TO RESCUE THE PLT BUT WAS UNABLE. LATER, THE PLT'S BODY WAS RECOVERED. A CHECK OF HIS BLOOD REVEALED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.103%. AREAS OF SURFACE FOG WERE REPORTED OVER THE LAKE UP TO APRX 10 OR 20 FT ABOVE THE WATER. EXCEPT FOR THE FOG (WATER SMOKE), THE CEILING & VISIBILITY WERE UNLIMITED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3742M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2549
- Engines: LYCOMING UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Z14, TAZIINA LODGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Dawn

## 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 19830528021429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830528021429A), May 28, 1983: Piper PA12, Glennallen, AK, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to strike the water and sink while manuevering at a low altitude. Had been drinking beer.

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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