# NTSB ANC10CA042: Piper PA-12, N2581M, Chugiak, AK, May 22, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2010, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.336666, -148.986663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3367&lon=-148.9867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Operations) - NTSB case key (mKey): 76107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76107/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76107 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path while landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree, and the collapse of the main landing gear during touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing at a remote airstrip surrounded by trees at the completion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that during the approach, just before touchdown, he allowed the airplane to drift left of his intended approach path, and the left main landing gear wheel struck a tree, which yawed the airplane to the left. During touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed by the collapse of the left main landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was landing at a remote airstrip surrounded by trees at the completion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that during the approach, just before touchdown, he allowed the airplane to drift left of his intended approach path, and the left main landing gear wheel struck a tree, which yawed the airplane to the left. During touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed by the collapse of the left main landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2581M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2581M), registered now, S/N 12-1049, 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: 12-1049 - Airframe hours: 2407 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard N. Sutliff - Registered owner: Page Spencer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2010, 2 hours before - Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Destination: A13, Chugiak, AK - Airport: A13, Bold Airport, runway 32, 1,000 × 15 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 2,100 total, 8 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 15 nm away ## 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 20100522005799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100522005799A), May 22, 2010: Piper PA-12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. On approach to landing at Bold Airstrip aircraft drifted left of the runway center line. The pilot lost control of his aircraft after the left tire struck the… ## Other investigations on N2581M (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 ANC71DAG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71DAG31), Sep 29, 1970: Piper PA-12 (N2581M), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X3462](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3462), Aug 18, 1964: Piper PA12 (N2581M), Sparrevohn, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76107. 580 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334476&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.