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NTSB Identification: CHI84FA343 .
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 26707.
Accident occurred Sunday, August 12, 1984 in ALPENA, MI
Aircraft: PIPER PA-12, registration: N98967
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
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.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
JUDGMENT..POOR..PILOT IN COMMAND
AIRCRAFT HANDLING..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
AIRSPEED..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
STALL/SPIN..INADVERTENT..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LOW PASS..PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND