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NTSB Report
August 12, 1984 · Piper PA-12 · N98967
Alpena, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Alpena, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N98967
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI84FA343
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT FLEW AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE LAKE PERFORMING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SERIES OF STALLS AND RECOVERIES WITH THE ACFT CLIMBING STEEPLY TO APRX 150 FT ABOVE THE LAKE AND THEN DROPPING SHARPLY BACK DOWN WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE WATER. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT PULL UP ABRUPTLY AS IT REACHED THE SOUTH SHORELINE WHERE A FOREST OF TREES WERE GROWN TO APRX 100 FT.WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO STALL AND ROLL SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, DESCENDING INTO THE TREES. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, ENG OR PROP PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT FLEW AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE LAKE PERFORMING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SERIES OF STALLS AND RECOVERIES WITH THE ACFT CLIMBING STEEPLY TO APRX 150 FT ABOVE THE LAKE AND THEN DROPPING SHARPLY BACK DOWN WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE WATER. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT PULL UP ABRUPTLY AS IT REACHED THE SOUTH SHORELINE WHERE A FOREST OF TREES WERE GROWN TO APRX 100 FT.WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO STALL AND ROLL SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, DESCENDING INTO THE TREES. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, ENG OR PROP PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN98967
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourceWFAC