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NTSB Report

February 1, 2007 · Piper PA-12 · N3233M

Glennallen, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Glennallen, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N3233M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC07LA018

The commercial certificated pilot was maneuvering to land his ski-equipped airplane on a snow-covered lake during a Title 14, CFR Part 91, personal flight. The pilot reported that he and his passenger were scouting the area for a wolf hunt, and decided to land on a remote frozen lake. While making a slight left turn toward the landing area, he said he encountered a windshear about 20 feet above the ground. He said the airplane was configured with 20 degrees of flaps, and the airspeed was about 45 mph. The pilot indicated the left wing stalled, and the airplane descended, colliding with the surface of the lake. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing, fuselage, and landing gear. The pilot described the wind conditions as light and variable winds, with no gusts. He also indicated that the wind shifted several times after the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to preclude a stall while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were variable wind conditions, and an inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On February 1, 2007, about 0945 Alaska Standard time, a ski-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3233M, sustained substantial damage when it collided with snow-covered terrain while maneuvering to land on a remote lake, about 30 miles northwest of Glennallen, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated in visual meteorological conditions by the pilot/owner of Copper Valley Air Service, LLC, Glennallen. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The sole passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated at the Gulkana Airport, Gulkana, Alaska, about 0920, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 2, the pilot reported that he and the passenger were scouting the area for a wolf hunt, and decided to land on a frozen lake. While making a slight left turn toward the landing area, he said he encountered a windshear about 20 feet above the ground. He said the airplane was configured with 20 degrees of flaps, and the airspeed was about 45 mph. The pilot indicated the left wing stalled, and the airplane descended, colliding with the surface of the lake. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing, fuselage, and landing gear. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot described the weather conditions as clear, visibility unlimited, a temperature of about 15 degrees F, light and variable winds, with no gusts. He also indicated that he observed several wind shifts after the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:45 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN3233M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data