# NTSB ANC86LA161: Piper PA-12, N5461Y, Tutna Lake, AK, September 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1986, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Tutna Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 4745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER LIFT OFF, A LEFT CROSSWIND FORCED THE LEFT WING UP, CAUSING THE RIGHT FLOAT TO STRIKE THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5461Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5461Y-2018-06-27), registration cancelled 2018-06-27, S/N 12-1466, 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: 121466
- Airframe hours: 2550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth T. Powers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1985, 45 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 145 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19860921045819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860921045819A), Sep 21, 1986: Piper STCPA12, Tutna Lake, AK, Substantial damage. After liftoff, a crosswind gust caused float to strike the water. Both floats were ripped from the aircraft.

## Other investigations on N5461Y (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 ANC88LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA115), Aug 18, 1988: Piper PA-12 (N5461Y), King Mountain, AK, 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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