# NTSB SEA84LA220: Piper PA-12, N92740, Juneau, AK, August 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1984, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Juneau, AK
- Location: 58.3019° N, 134.4197° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Juneau, AK, within about 29 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.3019&lon=-134.4197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA220

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight control,rudder - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

OVER A MOUNTAIN PASS THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE THE PLT DESCRIBED AS 'SEVERE'. THE ACFT LOST 500 TO 1,000 FT AND TURNED 180 DEG. A 180 DEG CLIMBING TURN WAS INITIATED AND THE ACFT AGAIN FLEW INTO THE TURBULENCE. AFTER THE SECOND ENCOUNTER AILERON AND ELEVATOR CONTROL WERE NORMAL BUT RUDDER INPUTS WERE INEFFECTIVE. THE PLT REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR A RIDGE AHEAD AND FLEW INTO THE RISING TERRAIN IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. ON RECOVERY OF THE ACFT IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE RUDDER HAD FAILED ABOVE THE TOP HINGE POINT. A FLT PRECAUTION WAS ISSUED BY JUNEAU FSS WARNING OF MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 5,000 FT, SPECIFICALLY NEAR MOUNTAIN PASSES. NO WX BRIEF WAS OBTAINED BY THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92740](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92740), registered now, S/N 12-177 (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: 12-1777
- Airframe hours: 1523
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve Houlihan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1984, 33 hours before
- Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 134 total, 90 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JNU, 5 nm away

## Other investigations on N92740 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC22LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA079), Sep 18, 2022: Piper PA-12 (N92740), Tok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper application of the brakes, which resulted in a nose-over and substantial damage to the rudder and wings.

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.