# NTSB SEA75AS011: Piper PA-12, N3020M, Medford, OR, August 30, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 30, 1974
- Place: Medford, OR · MEDFORD, OR
- Location: 42.3360° N, 122.8518° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Medford, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3360&lon=-122.8518&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA75AS011
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75AS011

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3220  74/8/30  NR.MEDFORD,OREG       PIPER PA-12         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 25, 25 TOTAL
        TIME - 2010                    N3020M              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 20 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BEAGLE SKY RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MEDFORD,OREG                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      82
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           30                                                       8
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PAX ALSO STUDENT PLT.REAR CTL STICK NOT INSTALLED.DENSITY ALT ABT 3300 FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3020M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3020M-1974-12-17), registration cancelled 1974-12-17, S/N 12-1575 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Beagle Sky Ranch

## 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 19740830036699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740830036699A), Aug 30, 1974: Piper PA12, Medford, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pax also student plt. Rear ctl stick not installed. Density alt abt 3300 ft.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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