# NTSB ANC92LA150: Piper PA-12, N786BH, Sparrevohn, AK, August 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1992, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparrevohn, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159648, -149.989151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1596&lon=-149.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA150

## Probable cause

PILOT EXERCISED POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY TAKING OFF WITH A TAILWIND COMPONENT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND IN THE AREA AND THE RISING HILLY/MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN THE TAKEOFF PATH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE LODGE EMPLOYEE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TOOK OFF FROM A SMALL LAKE TOWARD RISING TERRAIN THAT HE COULD NOT OUTCLIMB. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TRIED TO TURN AROUND BELOW THE LEVEL AND CLIPPED A TREE WITH HIS WING TIP AND THE SPREADER BARS ON THE FLOATS. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN MARSHY AREA NEAR THE LAKE. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE BELIEVED HE MISJUDGED THE TAKEOFF AND POSSIBLY ACCEPTED A TAILWIND COMPONENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N786BH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-789
- Airframe hours: 4115
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: James F. Ellis
- Registered owner: James F. Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1992, 165 hours before
- Destination: STONY RIVER LGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,695 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,447 as pilot in command, 253 in the last 90 days, 124 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °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 19920831034989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920831034989A), Aug 31, 1992: Piper PA12, Sparevohn, AK, Destroyed. Unable to climb above trees on downwind water takeoff. Tried to turn back but struck the trees.

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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