# NTSB ATL92LA147: Piper PA-12, N7712H, Southport, NC, July 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1992, 20:45 local (Jul 25, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Southport, NC
- Coordinates: 33.920532, -78.019798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9205&lon=-78.0198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA147

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES. A FACTOR WAS THE DUSK LIGHTING CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT & PASSENGER STATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN HIRED TO OVERFLY A WEDDING PARTY TO DROP CONFETTI & NOTES. THE DROP SITE WAS ABUT 75 FEET TO ONE SIDE OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY, & ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE APPROACH THRESHOLD. AFTER OVERFLYING THE SITE, AT DUSK, & DROPPING THE CONFETTI, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7712H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7712H), registered now, S/N 12-604, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-604
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Pritchard, Thomas A., Jr.
- Registered owner: Pritchard, Thomas A., Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SUT
- Airport: SUT, Brunswick County, runway 23, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 800 total, 20 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 25 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 19920724027519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920724027519A), Jul 24, 1992: Piper PA12, Southport, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with trees while attempting to drop confetti on wedding party. Aircraft became stuck in trees.

## Other investigations on N7712H (2)

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 ANC23LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA041), May 29, 2023: Piper PA-12 (N7712H), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB UNK65X1438](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1438), Feb 19, 1965: Piper PA-12 (N7712H), Dawson, GA, substantial damage

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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