# Accident 20170906017649A: Piper PA-12, Kotzebue, AK, September 6, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 6, 2017, 11:30 local time
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: 392C
- Location: 67.3531° N, 160.4939° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.3531&lon=-160.4939&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4088M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4088M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-12 (registry code 7101202, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 696 total, 282 in this make and model, 202 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA527) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170906017649A

## Narrative

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

AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30AM LOCAL TIME ON SEPTEMBER 6 2017,  A PIPER PA-12, N4088M LANDED ON A HILL APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES NORTH OF KOTZEBUE IN THE BROOKS RANGE MOUNTAINS.  DURING ROLL-OUT AFTER LANDING, A STRONG GUST OF WIND LIFTED AND SPUN THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE, RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND, AND RIGHT ELEVATOR ALSO CONTACTED THE GROUND.  THE FLIGHT WAS OPERATING UNDER CFR PART 135, ALBERTS AIR ALASKA (392C).  THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 2 PEOPLE ON BOARD.  NO INJURIES REPORTED.  NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED

## 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 GAA17CA527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA527), Sep 6, 2017: Piper PA 12 (N4088M), Kotzebue, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on an unimproved airstrip in gusting wind conditions.

## Other reports on N4088M (1)

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

- [Accident 19920607040579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920607040579A), Jun 7, 1992: Piper STCPA12 (N4088M), Klutina Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Approached a ridge at low altitude looking for a bear. Downdraft forced aircraft down. Impacted and flipped over.

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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