# NTSB ANC91LA111: Piper PA-12, N7684H, Palmer, AK, July 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1991, 10:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.620445, -148.98059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6204&lon=-148.9806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND INADVERTENT STALL DURING LOW LEVEL MANEUVERING FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH 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)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT, WHILE MANEUVERING OVER THE GLACIER, HE STALLED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AT THE 1,500 FOOT LEVEL. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT WAS OPERATING WITH AN EXPIRED MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7684H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7684H), registered now, S/N 12-573, 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: 12-573
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hill, Melvin R.
- Registered owner: Hill, Melvin R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1990, 75 hours before
- Departed: Z16, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 75 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Observed at: ANC, 50 nm away

## 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 19910728030379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910728030379A), Jul 28, 1991: Piper PA12, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Low pass over glacier landing area. Downdraft caused high sink rate. Unable to outclimb uphill. Impacted rough ice.

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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