# NTSB ANC87LA129: Piper PA-12, N3842M, Montague Island, AK, August 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1987, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Montague Island, AK
- Coordinates: 60.049667, -149.329299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0497&lon=-149.3293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING AN APCH FOR A SOFT/SHORT FIELD LANDING AT A STRIP WHICH PARALLELED THE OCEAN SHORELINE ON MONTAGUE ISLAND. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE CAME IN TO LAND, HE MISJUDGED THE HEIGHT & POSITION OF BUSHES NR THE APCH END OF THE STRIP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT THE TOPS OF BUSHES JUST SHORT OF THE LNDG AREA. THE LIFT STRUTS, TIPS OF THE PROP, LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS & ELEVATORS WERE DAMAGED DRG THE OCCURRENCE. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 090 DEG AT 5 TO 10 KTS. A PLT/OPERATOR RPRT SHOWED THE LANDING STRIP WAS ORIENTED ON AN ESE HEADING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3842M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3842M), registered now, S/N 12-2753, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2753
- Airframe hours: 2787
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randall Wellington Knauff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1987, 24 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Nellie Martin River, runway 11, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 423 total, 89 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870825048519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870825048519A), Aug 25, 1987: Piper PA12, Montague Island, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short and hard trying to land on a unimproved gravel strip.

## Other investigations on N3842M (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 ANC76DAA21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAA21), Sep 29, 1975: Piper PA-12 (N3842M), Teller, 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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