# NTSB ANC87LA128: Piper PA-12-150, N3341M, Little Delta, AK, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Little Delta, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA128

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF DOWNHILL WITH A 10 KNOT TAILWIND. AT THAT TIME THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO BRUSH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3341M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3341M), registered now, S/N 12-2051, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12-150
- 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: 122051
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Sparks
- Registered owner: Ronald Sparks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1987, 22 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,800 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °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 19870823047539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823047539A), Aug 23, 1987: Piper STCPA12, Little Delta Ri, AK, Substantial damage. Took off downhill with tailwind. Used full flaps. Settled into the brush after takeoff and nosed over.

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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