# Accident 20231007015059A: Nathan A Rehak CAW-12, Beluga, AK, October 7, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 7, 2023, 17:00 local time
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.4967° N, 151.9039° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4967&lon=-151.9039&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2129P, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2129P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Nathan A Rehak CAW-12 (registry code 056408N, https://openairdocs.org/model/nathan-a-rehak-caw-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360-C2A (registry code 42285, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NATHAN A REHAK CAW-12
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360-C2A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,800 total, 240 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA001) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231007015059A

## Narrative

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

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH 2023, AT 0100Z, A SINGLE ENGINE CAW-12 AIRPLANE (SIMILAR TO A PIPER PA-12), FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK DURING LANDING AT AN OFF-AIRPORT LOCATION APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES NORTHWEST OF BALUGA, AK.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER, THE ONLY OCCUPANTS OF THE AIRCRAFT, EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT INJURY. THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED AS A 14 CFR PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE FROM THE EVENT.  DAMAGE INCLUDED THE PROPELLER, DENTS IN LEADING EDGE SLATS OF BOTH WINGS, TEARING OF FABRIC SKIN ON TOP OF BOTH WINGS, BENDING DAMAGE TO ONE JURY STRUT, AND SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE RUDDER.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN DAY VMC CONDITIONS. THE PILOT STATED HE ADDED FUEL AT WASILLA AIRPORT (PAWS) WASILLA, ALASKA AND THEN PROCEEDED TO PERFORM A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT AROUND THE AREA NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE.  THE PILOT STATED HE CHOSE THE LANDING LOCATION DUE TO ITS FAMILIARITY AND THAT THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY LANDED THERE.  THE PILOT OVERFLEW THE FIELD TO DETERMINE NO HAZARDS OR OBSTRUCTIONS AND THEN ALIGNED THE AIRCRAFT FOR A NORMAL APPROACH AND LANDING.  UPON TOUCHDOWN OF THE MAIN GEAR, THE PILOT SAID HE FELT THE MAIN GEAR WAS STICKING IN THE LANDING PATH AND THAT HE COULD NOT HOLD THE TAIL DOWN EVEN WITH FULL BACKPRESSURE ON THE CONTROLS, ADDING POWER AND STAYING OFF THE BRAKES.  THE TAIL CONTINUED TO RISE UNTIL THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE GENTLY FLIPPED ALL THE WAY OVER ONTO ITS BACK.  AFTER EXITING THE AIRCRAFT AND ASSESSING THE DAMAGE, THE PILOT NOTICED A SHIFT IN WIND DIRECTION FROM UPWIND TO DOWNWIND AT ABOUT 10 KNOTS ALONG THE LANDING PATH. HE ADDED THAT THE WIND SHIFTED SEVERAL TIMES LIKE THIS AFTER 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 ANC24LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA001), Oct 8, 2023: Nathan A Rehak CAW-12 (N2129P), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control after failing to determine wind direction during landing in variable, gusting wind conditions.

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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