# NTSB ANC01LA123: Piper PA-12, N7604H, Nenana, AK, August 23, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2001, 21:00 local (Aug 23, 2001, 05:00 UTC) - Place: Nenana, AK - Coordinates: 64.424446, -148.46527 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.4244&lon=-148.4653&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53224/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, approach - vfr pattern - final approach ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was landing at an 800 feet long, off airport site. As the airplane neared the approach end of the site, just before touchdown, both main wheels struck a small stand of trees, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2001, about 2100 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N7604H, sustained substantial damage during landing at an off airport site, about 18 miles east of Nenana, Alaska. The solo certificated private pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 2015, from the Chena Marina Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 23, the pilot reported that he was landing to the west on an 800 feet long site. He said that as he neared the approach end of the site, just before touchdown, both main wheels struck a small stand of trees, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7604H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7604H), registered now, S/N 12-479, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-479 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark A. Keech - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AK28, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: ENN, Nenana, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 230 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - 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 20010822020779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010822020779A), Aug 22, 2001: Piper PA12, Nenana, AK, No damage. (-23) At about 9:00 pm local fairbanks time, Mr. Keech attempted to land his PA-12 on a grass, off airport strip located about 18 miles east of Nenana airport.… ## Other investigations on N7604H (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 NYC68D0194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0194), Sep 13, 1967: Piper PA-12 (N7604H), East Hanover, NJ, substantial damage 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.