# NTSB CHI93LA084: Piper PA-12, N3854M, White Bear Lake, MN, February 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1993, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: White Bear Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 45.090202, -93.009017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0902&lon=-93.0090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA084

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED WHEN HE LANDED ON THE SNOW-COVERED AIRSTRIP, IT APPEARED THE SNOW WAS 'HARD PACKED.'  HE REPORTED AS THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED, IT BEGAN TO SINK INTO THE SNOW, THEN NOSED OVER.  HE STATED: 'IN THE THIRTY EIGHT YEARS OF FLYING THIS IS MY FIRST ACCIDENT.  SOMETIMES WE MAKE BAD DECISIONS AND THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE TIMES.'  FAA PERSONNEL REPORTED 8 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3854M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3854M), registered now, S/N 12-2767, built 1947 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2767
- Airframe hours: 2832
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dorn, Earl D.
- Registered owner: Dorn, Earl D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: MIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Airport: BBB, Benson, runway 32, 2,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,730 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 275° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930202001359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930202001359A), Feb 2, 1993: Piper PA12, Benson, MN, Substantial damage. Landed in eight inches of snow on unplowed runway. Nosed over.

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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