# NTSB ANC01LA130: Piper PA-12, N3416M, Fairbanks, AK, August 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 30, 2001, 18:00 local (Aug 31, 2001, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.813888, -147.918609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8139&lon=-147.9186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-FAI FSDO 01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 53152 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53152/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA130 ## Probable cause A failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff run. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - other ## Analysis The private certificated pilot applied full engine power to begin the takeoff roll on runway 36 from a private airstrip. The airstrip has a gravel surface runway that is 4,700 feet long, and 75 feet wide. The pilot said the left main landing gear tire encountered a rut on the runway, and the airplane began to veer to the left. The airplane began to depart the runway surface off the left side of the airstrip, and the pilot said she aborted the takeoff. The airplane continued to the left and collided with a stack of cut wood logs. Both the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane received damage to the propeller, fuselage, wings, and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated the wind was from 070 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 30, 2001, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3416M, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Chena Marina Airstrip, located about 5 miles southwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. 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. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 30, the pilot reported she applied full engine power to begin the takeoff roll on runway 36 at Chena Marina. The pilot said the left main landing gear tire encountered a rut on the runway, and the airplane began to veer to the left. The airplane began to depart the runway surface off the left side of the airstrip, and the pilot said she aborted the takeoff. The airplane continued to the left and collided with a stack of cut wood logs. Both the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane received damage to the propeller, fuselage, wings, and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated the wind was from 070 degrees at 8 knots. The Chena Marina Airstrip is a private airfield with a gravel surface runway that is 4,700 feet long, and 75 feet wide. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3416M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3416M), registered now, S/N 12-2263 (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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2263 - Airframe hours: 2235 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mary J. Becker - Registered owner: James C. Becker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2000, 17 hours before - Departed: AK28, FAIRBANKS, AK - Airport: AK28, Chena Marina, runway 36, 4,700 × 75 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 21, 1999; seat: front; flight hours: 263 total, 15 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 20010830024669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010830024669A), Aug 30, 2001: Piper PA12, Fairbanks, AK, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated she accelerated on the takeoff roll when the aircraft began pulling to the left. The power was pulled off as the aircraft veered through… 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.