# NTSB ANC09CA087: Piper PA-12, N92770, Dillingham, AK, August 23, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2009, 16:00 local (Aug 23, 2009, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Dillingham, AK - Coordinates: 59.633335, -159.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.6333&lon=-159.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - FSDO3 - NTSB case key (mKey): 74586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74586/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74586 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land on unsuitable soft, wet terrain, which resulted in a nose-over on landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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 private pilot reported he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport, tundra-covered site, at the conclusion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during the landing roll the main wheels sunk into the soft, wet terrain, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. He reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport, tundra-covered site, at the conclusion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during the landing roll the main wheels sunk into the soft, wet terrain, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. He reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92770](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92770-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 12-215, 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: 12-215 - Airframe hours: 404 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bush Jonathan - Registered owner: Bush Jonathan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2008, 251 hours before - Departed: DLG, Dillingham, AK - Destination: Dillingham, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 392 total, 392 in this make and model, 392 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 7 knots, gusting 11 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.36 inHg ## 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 20090822048569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090822048569A), Aug 22, 2009: Piper PA-12, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Prior to landing attemp, the pilot flew over the off-site area and determined there were no problems with the site. At the end of the landing, during… ## Other investigations on N92770 (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 ANC11FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11FA065), Jul 17, 2011: Piper PA-12 (N92770), Delta, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to make a low-altitude turn back to the airport following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the severity of the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74586. 849 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 849 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.