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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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December 1, 1984 · Piper PA-12 · N3908M

Sterling, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 1, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sterling, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N3908M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC85FA026

A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING ENTER A STEEP CLIMB TO APRX 150 FT ABOVE THE 30 FT TREES. THE LEFT WING AND THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE ACFT ROTATED ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

Full Narrative

A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING ENTER A STEEP CLIMB TO APRX 150 FT ABOVE THE 30 FT TREES. THE LEFT WING AND THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE ACFT ROTATED ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:25 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN3908M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D · Reciprocating · 135
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data