# NTSB MKC88LA179: Piper PA-12, N3390M, Bertrand, NE, September 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1988, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Bertrand, NE
- Coordinates: 40.519847, -99.630249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5198&lon=-99.6302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS & LDGS, HE BELIEVED HE HAD EXCESSIVE GROUND SPEED & ELECTED TO GO AROUND. HE SAID HE WAITED TO LONG TO GO AROUND, SO HE DECIDED TO FLY UNDER POWER LINES, LOCATED AT THE DEP END OF THE STRIP. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT STALLED, DRIFTED TO THE LEFT & HIT THE EDGE OF A ROADWAY WHICH WAS ALSO AT THE END OF THE STRIP. THE ROADWAY WAS ABOUT 4 FEET HIGHER THAN THE RWY SURFACE. THE PLT SAID THE AIRSTRIP WAS SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL TO THE NORTH & THE WIND WAS CALM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3390M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3390M-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 12-2055, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12 2055
- Airframe hours: 2107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ray'S Aircraft Repair Inc.
- Registered owner: Ray'S Aircraft Repair Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: 63NE
- Airport: 63NE, Bertrand, runway 35, 2,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 161 total, 81 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAR, 40 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 19880926041279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880926041279A), Sep 26, 1988: Piper PA12, Bertrand, NE, Substantial damage. Tried to go under powerlines on a downwind takeoff but stalled and hit bank of an elevated road at end of runway.

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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