Casualties unknown

1988-11-25: Piper PA-12 (N2930M) — Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks, AK, US

On November 25, 1988, a Piper PA-12 (registration N2930M) was involved in an aviation accident near Fairbanks, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE APPROACH AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE. A RELATED FACTOR WAS TREES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot on approach to a frozen lake struck a row of trees and crashed. The pilot, operating with expired medical certificate and annual inspection, reported the airplane sank on short final, leading to a wing strike and impact.

Accident Details

A student pilot was on approach to a frozen lake when the airplane struck a row of trees and crashed on the lake's surface. According to the pilot's report, while on short final, the airplane sank. The pilot was unable to correct the sink, and the left wing subsequently struck a small tree. The impact caused the airplane to yaw to the left, and it impacted the lake in a left yaw condition.

Pilot and Aircraft Information

At the time of the accident, the pilot was operating the airplane with an expired Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate and an expired annual inspection. No further details about the pilot's experience or the aircraft's make, model, or registration were provided.

Circumstances

The accident occurred during the approach phase of flight. The frozen lake served as the intended landing area. The pilot did not specify the time of day, weather conditions, or whether air traffic control was involved.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27183. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.