# NTSB ANC89LA140: Piper PA-12, N3669N, Rainy Pass, AK, August 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1989, 18:30 local (Aug 15, 1989, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Rainy Pass, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA140

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING, DUE TO MISJUDGEMENT OF AIRSPEED AND DISTANCE TO THE LANDING TOUCH-DOWN POINT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED SHORT OF THE LANDING AREA BECAUSE THE PLT MISJUDGED HIS AIRSPEED & DISTANCE FROM THE LANDING AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3669N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3669N), registered now, S/N 12-1920, 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: 12-1920
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Humble, Vernn C.
- Registered owner: Veron Humble
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1989, 100 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,757 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,641 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- 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 19890814032419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890814032419A), Aug 14, 1989: Piper PA12, Rainy Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed short of the Private landing strip. Aircraft came to rest inverted.

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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