# NTSB ANC92LA087: Piper PA-12, N4088M, Klutina Lake, AK, June 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1992, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Klutina Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 55.919296, -159.490005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9193&lon=-159.4900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILO'TS POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS INCLUDE DOWNDRAFTS, AND MOUNTAINOUS/ HILLY TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA 12 WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHILE HEADING DIRECTLY TOWARD A RIDGE. HE APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4088M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4088M), registered now, S/N 12-3003S, 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: 12-3003S
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mayeur, Clint
- Registered owner: Lloyd, Kent S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 14, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: GKN, GULKANA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,050 total, 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19920607040579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920607040579A), Jun 7, 1992: Piper STCPA12, Klutina Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Approached a ridge at low altitude looking for a bear. Downdraft forced aircraft down. Impacted and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N4088M (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 GAA17CA527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA527), Sep 6, 2017: Piper PA 12 (N4088M), Kotzebue, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on an unimproved airstrip in gusting wind conditions.

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.