FAIRBANKS, AK, USA
N2930M
PIPER PA-12
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON APPROACH TO A FROZEN LAKE WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROW OF TREES AND CRASHED ON THE LAKE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS OPERATING THE AIRPLANE WITH AN EXPIRED FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND AN EXPIRED ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ON SHORT FINAL THE AIRPLANE SUNK. HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SINK AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK A SMALL TREE. THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT AND IMPACTED THE LAKE IN A LEFT YAW CONDITION.
THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE APPROACH AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE. A RELATED FACTOR WAS TREES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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