# NTSB ANC06CA096: Piper PA-12, N4017M, Anchorage, AK, July 23, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 23, 2006, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.186943, -149.96527
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1869&lon=-149.9653&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA096

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway and colliding with a runway light and the ground.  Factors contributing to the accident were an inadvertent ground loop, and the collapse of the right main landing gear.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground
  - object - runway light

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot was departing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the left.  The pilot stated that he applied right rudder and right brake, but the airplane continued to turn left. It departed off the runway and ground looped to the right.  The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck a runway edge light and the ground.  The airplane received structural damage to the right wing and fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The private certificated pilot was departing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the left.  The pilot stated that he applied right rudder and right brake, but the airplane continued to turn left. It departed off the runway and ground looped to the right.  The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck a runway edge light and the ground.  The airplane received structural damage to the right wing and fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4017M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4017M), registered now, S/N 12-2895, built 1947 (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: 12-2895
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albert R. Kito
- Registered owner: Albert R. Kitto
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK
- Airport: Z41, Lake Hood Strip, runway 31

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 188 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060723014719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060723014719A), Jul 23, 2006: Piper PA12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was attempting a takeoff from runway 31 on the lake Hood strip airstrip when he lost control and the aircraft ground looped.

## Other investigations on N4017M (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 ANC75DAG40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAG40), Sep 24, 1974: Piper PA-12 (N4017M), Iliamna, AK, 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.

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