# NTSB ANC83LA173: Piper PA-12, N2430M, Kenai, AK, September 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1983, 18:40 local (Sep 15, 1983, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.660259, -150.900238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6603&lon=-150.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - underconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, other person (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A RIDGELINE WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY THROUGH A PASS. THE PASS WAS CRESTED AT ABOUT 3600 FTSURROUNDED BY ELEVATIONS OF OVER 8000 FT MSL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET THROUGH MERRILL PASS BECAUSE OF HUNTERS THAT HAD BEEN STRANDED AT TUNDRA LAKE. THE PILOT SAID HE LEFT FOOD FOR THEM AND WAS GOING TO CONTACT THE AIR TAXI OPERATOR WHO HAD BROUGHT THE HUNTERS THERE AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE RETURNED FOR THEM. AS THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT REACHED MERRILL PASS HE SAID THE FOG ROLLED IN FAST AND A DOWNDRAFT PREVENTED HIM FROM CRESTING THE TOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2430M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2430M-2009-07-14), registration cancelled 2009-07-14, S/N 12-1664, built 1947 (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: 12-1664
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Werner G. Roth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: 12AK, LIME VILLAGE, AK
- Destination: EDF, ELMENDORF AFB, AK
- Airport: ENA, Kenai

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 450 total, 350 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °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 19830914068169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830914068169A), Sep 14, 1983: Piper PA12, Kenai, AK, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed when pilot attempted to fly through a mountain pass. Fog and wind shear forced airplane down.

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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