# NTSB ANC06CA132: Piper PA-12, N105JH, Noatak, AK, September 11, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2006, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Noatak, AK
- Coordinates: 67.744163, -162.437774
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.7442&lon=-162.4378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA132

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll and a nose over.  Factors associated with the accident were soft terrain and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The private pilot related he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel bar adjacent to a river during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  During the landing roll, the right main landing gear wheel encountered soft sand, the airplane veered to the right, entered the river, and nosed over.  The pilot related there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lift struts and left wing.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot related he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel bar adjacent to a river during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  During the landing roll, the right main landing gear wheel encountered soft sand, the airplane veered to the right, entered the river, and nosed over.  The pilot related there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lift struts and left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N105JH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N105JH), registered now, S/N 12-3240, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3240
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth D. Ubben
- Registered owner: Tony Richardson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Noatak, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days

## 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 20060911019189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060911019189A), Sep 11, 2006: Piper PA12, Noatak, AK, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to land on a sand bar that parallels the eli river. During landing his main wheel hit a soft sport in the sand and the aircraft pulled to…

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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