# NTSB ANC85LA051: Piper PA-12, N7889H, Skwentna, AK, March 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930683, -151.730834 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9307&lon=-151.7308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND, ACFT STALLED IN RIGHT DOWNWIND TURN AND CONTACTED THE GROUND. PLT WAS UNAWARE OF THE 5 TO 7 MPH WIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7889H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7889H-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 12-793, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12793
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory F. Pepperd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1984, 108 hours before
- Departed: Z16, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,051 total, 732 in this make and model, 958 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 1 °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 19850302007049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850302007049A), Mar 2, 1985: Piper PA12, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Airspeed too low in traffic pattern. Stalled in turn. Impacted ground.

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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