# NTSB ANC06CA110: Piper PA-12, N7663H, Coldfoot, AK, August 10, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2006, 18:00 local (Aug 10, 2006, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Coldfoot, AK - Coordinates: 67.253608, -150.20639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2536&lon=-150.2064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 64618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were wind gusts, and rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - aborted ## Analysis The private pilot was landing on a mountain ridgeline in a tundra tire-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 business flight. The pilot said that he inadvertently touched down about 10 feet beyond his intended touchdown point, and he added full engine power to abort the landing. After becoming airborne, a gust of wind pushed the airplane towards the ground, and the right main wheel struck a large rock. The airplane collided with the ground, and the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was landing on a mountain ridgeline in a tundra tire-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 business flight. The pilot said that he inadvertently touched down about 10 feet beyond his intended touchdown point, and he added full engine power to abort the landing. After becoming airborne, a gust of wind pushed the airplane towards the ground, and the right main wheel struck a large rock. The airplane collided with the ground, and the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7663H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7663H), registered now, S/N 12-543, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-543 - Airframe hours: 4692.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas L. Zweifel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006 - Departed: Chandalar, AK - Destination: Coldfoot, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 1,210 total, 1,175 in this make and model, 1,210 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk ## 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 20060809020219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060809020219A), Aug 9, 2006: Piper PA12, Coldfoot, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was in the process of landing on a ridge line near chandalar lake. On final the pilot encountered a gust of downwind force that forced the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N7663H (2) 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 ANC84LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA077), May 27, 1984: Piper PA-12 (N7663H), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC79FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79FA080), Aug 12, 1979: Piper PA-12 (N7663H), Lake Creek, AK, minor 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.