# NTSB ANC03LA095: Piper PA-12, N2941M, Tyonek, AK, August 17, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2003, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Tyonek, AK
- Coordinates: 61.833332, -151.25
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8333&lon=-151.2500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA095

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions and maintain aircraft control during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and in-flight collision with terrain.  Factors associated with the accident are a crosswind and wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was taking off in his tailwheel airplane from an off-airport site with a direct left crosswind of approximately 12 knots.  Shortly after liftoff, a gust of wind pushed the airplane sideways and down.  The pilot said he was unable to control or stop the descent, and the airplane collided with a log hidden in the brush.  The airplane received structural damage to the fuselage and elevator.

## Factual narrative

On August 17, 2003, about 1430 Alaska daylight time,  a tailwheel-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N2941M, received substantial damage when it collided with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from a remote, off-airport site, located about 12 miles north of Tyonek, Alaska.  The Title 14, CFR Part 91 local personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The solo private pilot was not injured.  The flight departed Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1100, and was returning to Anchorage at the time of the accident.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 17 at 1820, the pilot related that he was attempting to takeoff to the west from an off-airport site adjacent to Olson Creek.  He said there was a direct crosswind from the south about 12 knots, and that shortly after becoming airborne, a gust of wind pushed the airplane sideways and down.  He reported he was unable to control or stop the descent, and the airplane collided with a log hidden in the brush, damaging the main landing gear, fuselage, and elevator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2941M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1338
- Airframe hours: 3653
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Phalp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 2002, 16 hours before
- Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 15, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 610 total, 93 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 20030817037159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030817037159A), Aug 17, 2003: Piper PA12, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated he was departing from a small grass strip with a 12 knot crosswind. He reported that as he lifted off and started to climb he…

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.

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