# NTSB ANC89LA121: Piper J-3, N27024, Parker Lake, AK, July 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1989, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Parker Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 62.450489, -149.789566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4505&lon=-149.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA121

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN AND/OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH AFTER LIFT-OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF FROM A LAKE, THE ACFT FLEW APRX 200 FT, THEN SETTLED IN A SWAMP. IN A STATEMENT AFTER THE ACDNT, HE NOTED HE HAD 'EXCESSIVE BACK PRESSURE' ON THE CONTROL STICK & STATED THAT MORE SPEED AT LIFT-OFF WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL. ALSO, HE RPRTD THERE WERE CALM WIND CONDITIONS & RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AREA. THERE WAS ANOTHER PART ON THE LAKE THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED A LONGER TAKEOFF AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27024](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27024), registered now, S/N 4332, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4332
- Airframe hours: 572
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilkinson, Robert
- Registered owner: Robert Wilkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °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 19890713022259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890713022259A), Jul 13, 1989: Piper J3L65, Parker Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Pulled floatplane off too soon departing small lake. Behind power curve and unable to accelerate. Mushed into swamp

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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