# NTSB ANC92LA112: Piper J3C-65, N21375, Cloudy Lake, AK, July 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1992, 16:00 local (Jul 28, 1992, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Cloudy Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA112

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO ENTER AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER WITH SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO EFFECT A RECOVERY PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE HAD JUST PERFORMED A HAMMERHEAD STALL, PUT THE AIRPLANE INTO A DIVE, AND COULD NOT RECOVER BEFORE THE AIRPLANE 'STALLED AND MUSHED TO THE GROUND'.  SEVERAL WITNESSES/NEIGHBORS STATED THAT THIS WAS JUST ONE OF THE MANY AND FREQUENT 'MINI AIRSHOWS' PERFORMED BY THIS PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21375](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21375-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N 14609, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14609
- Airframe hours: 1983
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John H. Makinson Jr.
- Registered owner: Laurie Dodd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1991, 40 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,123 total, 600 in this make and model, 984 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- 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 19920727027699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920727027699A), Jul 27, 1992: Piper J3C65, Cloudy Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Performing low altitude acrobatics. Stalled on pullout from hammerhead stall. Impacted level in a swamp.

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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