# NTSB ANC92LA134: Piper PA-12, N3042M, Talkeetna, AK, August 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1992, 06:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.449493, -149.789779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4495&lon=-149.7898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA134

## 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

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - touchdown - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## 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  THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY HELD A COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE, WHICH WAS REVOKED IN 1991.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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3042M), registered now, S/N 12-1734 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1734
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920814031489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920814031489A), Aug 14, 1992: Piper PA12, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Landed hard and short of remote strip. Pilots license had been revoked prior.

## Other investigations on N3042M (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 NYC01LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA165), Jul 3, 2001: Piper PA-12 (N3042M), Plymouth, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to ensure the magnetos were off prior to rotating the propeller, which resulted in an unintentional engine start and subsequent unmanned taxi.

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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