# NTSB ATL82FIJ02: Piper PA-12, N7583H, Dunbar, WV, May 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1982, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Dunbar, WV
- Coordinates: 38.359279, -81.730918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3593&lon=-81.7309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FIJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FIJ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF EASTBOUND TOWARD MULTIPLE POWER LINES THAT CROSSED THE RIVER. THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FEET AND WAS TURNING LEFT AWAY FROM THE WIRES WHEN IT NOSED OVER AND CRASHED INTO THE RIVER. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A SEAPLANE RATING BUT HAD RECENTLY BEEN RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE SEAPLANE TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7583H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7583H-1982-11-05), registration cancelled 1982-11-05, S/N 12-456 (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: 12-456
- Airframe hours: 1319
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: B F Mallory
- Registered owner: B F Mallory
- Departed: DUNBAR, WV
- Destination: DUNBAR, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,624 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,506 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °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 19820510014279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820510014279A), May 10, 1982: Piper PA12, Dunbar, WV, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Aircraft stalled and crashed into river during first turn out after takeoff.

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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