# NTSB ANC85FA063: Piper PA-12, N3153M, Anchorage, AK, April 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1985, 16:26 local (20:26 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219032, -149.849792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2190&lon=-149.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - aircraft manuals,performance information - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - aileron - inadequate, passenger (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,aircraft, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, passenger (cause)
  - improper training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL ACFT VEERED LEFT OFF RWY, HIT A SNOW BANK AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. ACFT WAS 265 LBS OVER GWT. TWO PAX WERE IN REAR SEAT. REAR CONTROL STICK WAS INSTALLED. THERE WAS A 10 KT RIGHT X-WIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3153M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3153M-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 12-1840, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1840
- Airframe hours: 1001
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald F. Reaney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1984, 79 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK
- Airport: MRI, Merril Field, runway 15, 2,469 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 138 total, 28 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## 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 19850417015009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850417015009A), Apr 17, 1985: Piper PA12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Went off side of runway, hit snow bank, nosed over. Pilot suspects passenger interference. Aircraft overgrossed.

## Other investigations on N3153M (1)

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 ANC89FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA009), Oct 13, 1988: Piper PA-12 (N3153M), Little Heart Lk, AK, substantial damage, 2 fatal

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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