# NTSB ANC89LA020: Piper PA-12, N2930M, Fairbanks, AK, November 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1988, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810401, -147.719436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8104&lon=-147.7194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA020

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE APPROACH AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE.  A RELATED FACTOR WAS TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON APPROACH TO A FROZEN LAKE WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROW OF TREES AND CRASHED ON THE LAKE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS OPERATING THE AIRPLANE WITH AN EXPIRED FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND AN EXPIRED ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ON SHORT FINAL THE AIRPLANE SUNK. HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SINK AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK A SMALL TREE. THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT AND IMPACTED THE LAKE IN A LEFT YAW CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2930M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2930M), registered now, S/N 12-1332, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 121332
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Bridges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1985
- Departed: FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: Frozen Lake, runway 27, ice

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point -0 °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 19881125053259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881125053259A), Nov 25, 1988: Piper PA12, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Struck trees and crashed during landing approach. Expired medical and aircraft out of annual.

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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