# NTSB ANC90LA190: Piper PA-12, N92512, Cathedral Rapid, AK, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 00:01 local (08:01 UTC)
- Place: Cathedral Rapid, AK
- Coordinates: 63.379962, -143.390945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.3800&lon=-143.3909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 18, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5468/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA190

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND A STALL/SPIN WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID TERRAIN. THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, HIGH WINDS, AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER MISSING FOR 2 YEARS, THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON 8/21/92 AT THE 4,700-FT LEVEL OF A MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 200 FT BELOW A MOUNTAIN PASS. THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR SHEEP HUNTING AREAS. SOME MOUNTAIN PEAKS IN THE AREA RISE TO HEIGHTS ABOVE 8,000 FT ASL. THE CRASH SITE WAS 23 NAUTICAL MILES EAST OF MOUNT KIMBALL WHICH IS 10,350 FT ASL. IMPACT DAMAGE WAS INDICATIVE OF A STALL/SPIN ACCIDENT. LOCAL PILOTS REPORTED VERY HIGH WINDS IN THE AREA ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. TIME OF ACCIDENT IS PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92512](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92512-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 12-35, 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: 12-35
- Airframe hours: 1401
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard A. Seltenreich
- Registered owner: Anderson, John W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1990
- Departed: GKN, GULKANA, AK
- Destination: TKJ, TOK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 200 total, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19900812038139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900812038139A), Aug 12, 1990: Piper PA12, Mount Kimball, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Became missing on a flight from private strip wasilla,AK,to Mount Kimball,AK. Presumed deceased, aircraft not found

## Other investigations on N92512 (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 ANC72DAG57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72DAG57), Sep 12, 1971: Piper PA-12 (N92512), Anchorage, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.