# NTSB ANC00LA095: Piper PA-12, N2796M, Anchorage, AK, August 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2000, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.159187, -149.989883 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1592&lon=-149.9899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 49907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49907/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA095 ## Probable cause The pilots selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was high brush along side the landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was landing on a road adjacent to power lines. During the landing approach, he reduced engine power to begin the landing flare, and the left wing struck some high brush along the edge of the road. The airplane pivoted to the left, and the tailwheel also struck the brush. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, wing lift struts, the tailwheel, and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2000, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N2796M, sustained substantial damage while landing on a road, about 25 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska, about latitude 61 degrees, 20 minutes north, and longitude 150 degrees, 45 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, about 0945. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 5, 2000, the pilot reported he was landing near the Theodore River to go fishing. He said he decided to land on a road, adjacent to power lines. He said he was landing toward the south, and the wind was from the southwest about 8 knots. During the landing approach, he reduced engine power to begin the landing flare, and the left wing struck some high brush. The airplane pivoted to the left, and the tailwheel also struck the brush. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, wing lift struts, the tailwheel, and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2796M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2796M-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 12-1195, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 112-1195 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Millar - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2000, 34 hours before - Departed: Z41, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 412 total, 334 in this make and model, 412 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 8 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000805042409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000805042409A), Aug 5, 2000: Piper PA12, Beluga, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 5, 2000 at about 1030 adt a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-12 N2796M was involved in a landing accident near the theodore river, Alaska.… ## Other investigations on N2796M (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 ANC98LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA166), Sep 29, 1998: Piper PA-12 (N2796M), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The aircraft's left wheel encountering a hole as the pilot taxied from landing and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Contributing factors were the rough terrain and gusty wind… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.