# NTSB DEN82DA050: Piper PA-11, N4709H, Devils Lake, ND, March 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1982, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Devils Lake, ND
- Coordinates: 48.110923, -98.870216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1109&lon=-98.8702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER/PILOT WERE MAKING LOW, SLOW PASSES OVER FISHERMAN ON THE ICE. THE PILOT REVERSED DIRECTIONS AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS LOOKING AT THE GROUND AND BECAME DISTRACTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4709H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4709H), registered now, S/N 11-497, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11497
- Airframe hours: 3499
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kevin W. Frith/Kelby Eidsness
- Registered owner: Kevin W. Frith/Kelby Eidsness
- Departed: DVL, DEVILS LAKE, ND
- Destination: DVL, DEVILS LAKE, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 400 total, 40 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVL, 5 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 19820328006089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820328006089A), Mar 28, 1982: Piper PA11, Devils Lake, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot stalled airplane during low level observation of aircraft and persons on frozen lake.

## Other investigations on N4709H (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 MKC71FTG30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FTG30), Jun 3, 1971: Piper PA-11 (N4709H), Petersburg, ND, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC71DDD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DDD05), Aug 8, 1970: Piper PA-11 (N4709H), Michigan, ND, 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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