- Date
- August 14, 1992, 06:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place
- Talkeetna, AK
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N3042MPiper PA-12
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 26, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 19920814031489A
- Case key
- 5781
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper in flight planning/decision, and his premature touch down. Contributing to the accident were the downdraft and the unsuitable terrain.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The unlicensed pilot refused to give any information concerning the accident. The passenger stated that they encountered a downdraft while on final approach, causing the airplane to crash just short of the remote strip. The pilot had previously held a commercial pilot certificate, which was revoked in 1991. His airman medical certificate had been denied in 1989.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3042M
- Reported as
- Piper PA-12
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 12-1734
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235, 115 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Kenneth R. Mccracken
- Registered owner
- Kenneth R. Mccracken
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · January 2, 1900
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 55
- Medical
- Expired
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 3,500 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- TKA, 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.
Other investigations on N3042M · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.