# Accident 20140924017339A: Piper PA-12, Holy Cross, AK, September 24, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 24, 2014, 14:15 local time
- Place: Holy Cross, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: 3SFC
- Location: 62.2014° N, 161.5722° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2014&lon=-161.5722&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3148M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3148M) (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: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC14CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA088) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140924017339A

## Narrative

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

ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2014, THE AIRMAN OPERATING A PIPER PA-12 FOR SILVERTIP AVIATION, LLC., LANDED ON A REMOTE AIRSTRIP 50-54 MILES WEST OF HOLY CROSS, AK TO PICK UP A PASSENGER AND GEAR.

AFTER LANDING, AIRMAN WAS PARKED ON A SLOPE WITH ENGINE IDLING. PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN, THE AIRMAN ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST FROM HIS LEFT SIDE. THE AIRMAN STATED THE WIND GUST FLIPPED THE AIRCRAFT TO AN INVERTED POSITION CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

THE AIRMAN REPORTED NO INJURIES. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 ANC14CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA088), Sep 24, 2014: Piper PA 12 (N3148M), Holy Cross, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff/landing and failure to maintain control of the aircraft.

## Other reports on N3148M (4)

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

- [Accident 19890604014099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890604014099A), Jun 4, 1989: Piper PA12 (N3148M), Anaktuvuk Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after leaving a sandbar due to mountain downdrafts. Tried to go back but crashed in the turn.
- [Accident 19880911038039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880911038039A), Sep 11, 1988: Piper PA12 (N3148M), Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Used too much braking landing on a wet grass river sandbar. Wheels hit soft spot. Aircraft nosed over.
- [Incident 19880421032729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880421032729I), Apr 21, 1988: Piper PA12 (N3148M), West Fork Glaci, AK, Minor damage. Pilot experienced unexpected steepness on uphill landing. Should have aborted landing due to flat light condition.
- [Incident 19870621039319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870621039319I), Jun 21, 1987: Piper PA12 (N3148M), La Jolla, CA. Sudden gusts of wind caused increased loads on banner. Weak links attached to tow cable failed. Banner dropped.

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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