# Accident 20100913054509A: Piper PA-12, Mcgrath, AK, September 13, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 13, 2010, 16:35 local time
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Airport: Windy Forks Strip
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.2333° N, 153.6500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2333&lon=-153.6500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2534M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2534M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-12 (registry code 7101202, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 600 total, 600 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC10CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA102) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100913054509A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

INITIAL REPORT WAS THAT THE TAIL WHEEL BROKE OFF WHEN PILOT ADDED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET MAIN WHEELS OUT OF A RUT. ONE WHEEL POPPED OUT CAUSING THE TAIL TO WHIP AROUND WITH GREAT FORCE UNTIL IT CONTACTED AN INMOVABLE OBJECT WHICH TORE THE FUSELAGE TAIL CLUSTER JOINT COMPLETELY OFF THE AIRCRAFT. PILOT COULD FIND NOTHING BUT THE NORMAL TUSSOCK CLUMPS IN THE AREA TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE TAIL WHEEL CONTACTED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC10CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA102), Sep 13, 2010: Piper PA-12 (N2534M), Windy Forks Strip, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing on a rough/uneven airstrip.

## Other reports on N2534M (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20190815017079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190815017079A), Aug 15, 2019: Piper PA-12 (N2534M), Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot had depart this airstrip previously and took a load out to Mccarthy. Upon returning to get second load, he stated that he floated a bit at touchdown.…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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