# Accident 20260821011209A: Piper PA-12, Bemidji, MN, August 21, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 21, 2026, 16:00 local time
- Place: Bemidji, MN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.5273° N, 94.8376° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5273&lon=-94.8376&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7524H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7524H) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 11,500 total, 81 in this make and model, 114 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA316) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260821011209A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS INSTRUCTING THE STUDENT PILOT FOR HIS SINGLE ENGINE SEA RATING. THE TWO HAD PERFORMED TEN AMPHIBIOUS LANDINGS THAT DAY, REFUELED AND RETURNED TO THE LAKE. ON THE ELEVENTH AMPHIBIOUS LANDING THE INSTRUCTOR FELT THE ADDED RESISTANCE OF THE WHEELS DOWN ON TOUCHDOWN AS THERE WAS A NOSE DOWN PITCHING MOMENT PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT INVERTING OVER ITS NOSE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOW RESTING FLOATS UP IN THE LAKE. THE STUDENT EXITED THE AIRCRAFT FOLLOWED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. BOTH PILOTS WERE PICKED UP BY A NEARBY BOAT. NEITHER PILOT SUFFERED INJURIES FROM 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 WPR26LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA316), Aug 21, 2026: Piper PA-12 (N7524H), Bemidji, MN, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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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