# NTSB ANC91LA036: Piper PA-12, N3419M, Moose Creek, AK, March 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1991, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Moose Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 63.680236, -150.030029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6802&lon=-150.0300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, PROPER ALTITUDE NOT MAINTAINED, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH ALTITUDE TERRAIN.

## 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 - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A BOX CANYON AT 4,000 FOOT LEVEL WHILE ON A CARIBOU HUNT.  ON-SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE'S STALL/SPIN TO THE GROUND.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, VFR CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3419M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3419M-1993-01-28), registration cancelled 1993-01-28, S/N 122067 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 122067
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Cook
- Registered owner: Joseph Cook
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: HRR, HEALY, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 410 total, 200 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 5 °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 19910320006719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910320006719A), Mar 20, 1991: Piper PA12, Moose Creek, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed in a narrow mountain valley. Victims were scouting for caribou.

## Other investigations on N3419M (2)

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 ANC90LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA174), Sep 13, 1990: Piper PA-12 (N3419M), Healy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTIAN AIRSPEED.
- [NTSB DEN66D0359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66D0359), May 22, 1966: Piper PA12 (N3419M), Yuma, CO, 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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