# NTSB DEN82FTG06: Piper PA-12, N7715H, Oakes, ND, August 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1982, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Oakes, ND
- Location: 46.1397° N, 98.0871° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oakes, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1397&lon=-98.0871&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTG06

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS BLACKBIRD CONTROL OF A SUNFLOWER FIELD. THERE WAS SPECULATION BY LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING USED TO SPREAD POISONED CORN. THIS WAS SUBSTANTIATED WHEN CORN AND A PORTION OF AN AVITROL BAG WERE FOUND LATER AT THE CRASH SITE. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE, THEN PULLED UP OVER A ROW OF TREES NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. IT THEN PROCEEDED SOUTH TOWARD THE TOWN OF OAKES, ND AND MADE A STEEP TURN IN THE VICINITY OF THE PILOT'S HOME. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS JUST ABOVE THE ROOFTOPS AND SEEMED TO SETTLE AND COLLIDE WITH A HOUSE. AFTER IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAME. THE AIRCRAFT AND A PORTION OF THE HOUSE WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7715H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7715H-1986-01-03), registration cancelled 1986-01-03, S/N 12-608 (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: 12-608
- Airframe hours: 2579
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lee Ruhn
- Registered owner: Lee Ruhn
- Departed: OAKES, ND
- Destination: OAKES, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 342 total, 70 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 26 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °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 19820827042149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820827042149A), Aug 27, 1982: Piper PA12, Oakes, ND, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into a house and burned during low level operations.

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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