# NTSB MKC89LA028: Piper PA-12, N12MZ, Lino Lakes, MN, November 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1988, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Lino Lakes, MN
- Coordinates: 45.159707, -93.097081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1597&lon=-93.0971&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND CLIMBING TO ABOUT 150 AGL, THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING AND LOSING POWER. ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BY PUMPING THE THROTTLE AND WORKING THE ENGINE PRIMER FAILED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED IN A SOFT FIELD RESULTING IN A NOSE OVER AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENGINE COMPONENTS, NOR ANY FUEL SHORTAGE OR CONTAMINATION. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR THE PROBABILITY OF CARBURETOR ICING ACCORDING TO THE 'ICING PROBABILTY CHARTS'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12MZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12MZ), registered now, S/N 12-2930 (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: 12-2930
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ratfield, Dwaine C.
- Registered owner: Ratfield, Dwaine C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: MN24, CIRCLE PINES, MN
- Airport: MN24, Surfside, runway 2, 1,900 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 15 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 19881120051359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881120051359A), Nov 20, 1988: Piper PA12, Circle Pines, MN, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Nosed over landing in a soft field. Probability of carburetor ice per icing chart.

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.