# NTSB ANC92LA098: Piper PA-12, N7850H, Kantishna, AK, June 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1992, 23:30 local (Jun 21, 1992, 07:30 UTC)
- Place: Kantishna, AK
- Coordinates: 63.679973, -150.03012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6800&lon=-150.0301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CROSSWIND AND DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED STRONG CROSSWINDS AND STATED HE WAS TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF ON THE AIRSTRIP AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK TREES.  THE PILOT HAD A RESTRICTION ON HIS PILOT CERTIFICATE PROHIBITING NIGHT FLIGHT AND THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING DUSK.  THE SUN'S ELEVATION WAS -3.5 DEGREES BELOW THE HORIZON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7850H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7850H), registered now, S/N 12-750 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen And Gwen Mathis
- Registered owner: Stephen And Gwen Mathis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 1900
- Departed: 5Z5
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5Z5, Kantishna

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 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 19920620021589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920620021589A), Jun 20, 1992: Piper PA12, Kantishma, AK, Substantial damage. Taxiing for takeoff wing struck trees. Not licensed for night time operations. No night instruction.

## Other investigations on N7850H (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 DEN01LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA117), Jun 24, 2001: Piper PA-12 (N7850H), Eagle, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate wind evaluation, and his inadequate planning/decision to land with a tailwind, at a density altitude of 13,418 feet. Contributing factors were the tailwind and the high density…

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.