# NTSB ANC08CA124: Piper PA-12, N3348M, Slana, AK, September 14, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2008, 17:00 local (Sep 14, 2008, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Slana, AK
- Coordinates: 62.47861, -143.920562
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4786&lon=-143.9206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA, Anchorage FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA124

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll, resulting in a nose over and substantial damage.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unnecessary use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo private pilot reported he was landing his tailwheel airplane at an off-airport site and inadvertently applied the brakes too hard. The airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing lift struts. He said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The solo private pilot reported he was landing his tailwheel airplane at an off-airport site and inadvertently applied the brakes too hard. The airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing lift struts. He said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3348M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3348M), registered now, S/N 12-2207, 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: 12-2207
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gavitt Brad W
- Registered owner: Gavitt Brad W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Slana, AK
- Destination: Gakona, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 581 total, 120 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## Other investigations on N3348M (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 DIA69F0177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69F0177), May 4, 1969: Piper PA-12 (N3348M), Burlington, NC, 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.

---
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.