# NTSB LAX82DA317: Piper PA-12, N98931, Phoenix, AZ, August 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1982, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.629127, -112.09027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6291&lon=-112.0903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA317

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING TAKEOFF FROM A 900 FOOT, DIRT STRIP. THE WEATHER WAS VFR. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 102 DEGREES. NO ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE PILOT HAD AN EXPIRED MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98931](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98931-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 12-284, 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: 12-284
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don E. Temple
- Registered owner: Don E. Temple
- Departed: C, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: C, GLENDALE, AZ
- Airport: Dirt Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 60 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 194 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 43 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 19820821040419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820821040419A), Aug 21, 1982: Piper PA12, Phoenix, AZ, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into trees during attempted takeoff from short dirt strip.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
