# NTSB ANC84FA120: Piper PA-12, N2537M, Cantwell, AK, July 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1984, 01:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Cantwell, AK
- Coordinates: 63.009063, -149.399063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0091&lon=-149.3991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA120

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

IMPACT OCCURRED AT THE 3,600 FT LEVEL ON A STEEP SLOPE OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED BY PILOTS AS WELL AS GROUND PERSONNEL IN THE AREA. LOOSE AND UNSTABLE TERRAIN CONDITIONS LIMITED THE INVESTIGATIVE EFFORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2537M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2537M-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 12-909, 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: 12-909
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carroll Eugene Kneff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ENN, NENANA, AK
- Destination: Z16, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 550 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft

## 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 19840717033529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840717033529A), Jul 17, 1984: Piper PA12, Cantwell, AK, Destroyed. Pilot attempted flight through pass with low ceiling, visibility, and heavy rain. Impacted terrain at steep angle.

## Other investigations on N2537M (2)

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.

- [NTSB ANC74DAG84](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG84), Jan 1, 1974: Piper PA-12 (N2537M), Farewell, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN69F0192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69F0192), Feb 24, 1969: Piper PA-12 (N2537M), Las Cruces, NM, substantial damage

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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