# NTSB ANC86LA047: Piper J3C-65, N170CH, Yentna River, AK, April 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1986, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Yentna River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE; AIRSPEED WAS 60 MPH. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT RECOVER ALTITUDE WITH FULL POWER. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND STRUCK TREE TOPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N170CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N170CH-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 6083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6083
- Airframe hours: 2510
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald R. Green
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: 241, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 212 total, 11 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °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 19860424014839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860424014839A), Apr 24, 1986: Piper J3C65, Yentna River, AK, Substantial damage. After dropping a parcel from low altitude at slow speed pilot was unable to recover. Struck tree tops.

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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