Accident Piper PA-12 N121EF, Saturday 6 July 1991

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Date:	Saturday 6 July 1991
Time:	14:00 LT
Type:	Piper PA-12
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N121EF
MSN:	12-2447
Year of manufacture:	1947
Total airframe hrs:	2700 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-B2A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Merrill Pass, AK - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Anchorage, AK (LHD)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
AFTER A THIRD LOW APPROACH OVER AN INTENDED LANDING AREA ON A GRAVEL BAR, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING THE CLIMB. HE TURNED DOWNWIND, AT WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SPUN INTO THE TREES.

Probable Cause: THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENCE.

Accident investigation: